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Class JTiiXS^a^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



The Cosmiady 
Sonnets and Rhymes. 



By Francis Mansfield^ 

AUTHOR OF 
GATHERED WAIFS and NEW MUSIC. 



LONDON AND NEW YORK 
ANNO DOMINI 1904 




(Soltonbtu. 9if\D. 






LIBRARY cf CONGRESS 
Tv/o Copied iiCCiiiveil 

NOV 9 iJ^U4 

class' a XXc. No; 
COPY B. 



Copyrighted 1904 
By Francis Mansfield 






Respectfully dedicated to the Columbian Commandery 
No. / A., F. & A. M. of Nem) York City, by one of 
their most appreciative f raters, the author. 

150 Nassau SL, 
A'ew York, June, t900. 



CONTENTS 

Preface ^ 

Early Christmas Morning 11 

Tender Remembrances Too Real to Be a Dream 12 

The First Christmas 14 

Life's Eventide 15 

The Two Voyages— 

( 1 ) The Voyage of Life 16 

(2) The Voyage of Death 17 

Tlie Land of the Morning 19 

Visions of Hope 20 

When Jolmny Comes Home From the War 21 

On The Bonnie Blue Waves 22 

Boabdil of Alma 23 

The Angry Word 27 

Sailor Boy 28 

The Eightieth Birthday 29 

Our Choicest Treasure 32 

The Stone Which Fell With Adam 34 

Tlie Holy Stone 35 

The Well of Zem Zem 35 

In The Birthday of Our Republic 36 

The White Stone 37 

Ties of Friendship 38 

An Inscription To a Lovely Girl 39 

The Storm at Sea 40 

Types of Darkest Gloom 42 

A Returning Pilgrim 44 



Inscription On a Tombstone 45 

The Limit of Ambition and Self Love 46 

The Wovnids of Passion Vvithout Remedy 46 

The Cosmiad — 

First Duan 47 

Second Duan 73 

Third Duan 112 

Fourth Duan 139 

Fiftli Duan 167 

Christmas Morning 191 

The Intermediate State Called Purgatory 192 

Inscription For a Monument 193 

Earth's Restless Wanderers 194 

The Wounded Huntsman 195 

Respect For Old Age ; 196 

The Forester's Soliloquy By a Banished King 197 

Domestic Happiness At Christmas-Tide 198 

Woman 199 

The Maniac's Soliloquy 200 

Friendship 201 

Elijah's Translation 202 

The Judgment of the Last Great Day 203 

Clarissa 204 

How Sweet is Love 205 

Man's Dependence On Reason 206 

Respect For Women 207 

Upon The Sea 208 

Destiny 209 

The Last of Wannalanset 210 

Death 211 

The City of God 212 

The Merriraac River 213 

Love In Wedlock 215 

Incense and Prayer 216 



Admiral Dewey 217 

The Curfew 218 

The Woodbine Wreaths 219 

Safety In Tlie Storm 220 

An Extravaganza, or a Lunatic's Song 221 

Soldier Awakened From Sleep 222 

The Help of Divine Providence 223 

Old Age 224 

Sunsliine After Storm 225 

The Temple of Human Character 226 

Christ Above The Darkness and The Storm 227 

The Last Day's Crash of Worlds 228 

The Land of Forgetfulness or Dreams 229 

A Friend Indeed 230 

The Corpse 231 

Abraham Lincoln's Type of Character 232 

Life's Buried Burdens 233 

Death or Disgrace, Which Shall It Be 234 

How Woman's Wooed and Won 235 

Bridal iVdornment and Coronation 236 

Secure in Unfailing Hope 237 

Our Refuge In Distress 238 

The First Day of Tlie Twentieth Century 239 

God In The Ages 240 

Exuberant Fancy 241 

Woman's Power 242 

Courage 243 

Life's Extinguished Fire 244 

Vicissitudes 245 

To Washington 246 

Truth Versus Falsehood 246 

Stream of Life 246 

America's Ship of State 247 



PREFACE TO THE COSMIAD SONNETS AND RHYxMES. 



Better than all the world's great books are those rare 
Odysseys which fill the mind with exquisite delight in the 
wild dreams of passion's sleepless nights, or those immortal 
Iliads living and breathing in the frenzied mind; when the 
wounded soldier leans upon his musket on the battlefield, 
while he listens to the music of the bulleits as they whistle 
by; nay sweeter than any Ode from Horace is that pastoral 
lay each shepherd hears with throbbing heart when in the 
silence of the wood he listens to the murmur of the forest 
leaves, or gurgling of the brook as it flows along, while he is 
seeking his stray sheep, reclaiming his lost lambs and re- 
storing them again to the glad fold. There sits the true 
bard in meditation on his plough-beam while resting in the 
corner of the field, or holding his axe-helve after chopping 
down the tree, or resting his hand on the spade near the up- 
turned furrow; there the bright swain recites his lyric while 
the robins twitter on tha boughs above his head; and he be- 
comes an author of some fifty excellent books which remain 
still unwritten, except upon the tablets of his brain; but just 
as soon as these verses of inspired song are transferred to the 
written page or in cold type are stamped upon the leaves of 
a book, at once they lose their peculiar charm and begin to 
lack their refreshing lustre ; the words become cold and dead 
under the printing-press ; and nothing of their sweetness re- 



10 PREFACE 

mains after their life is gone. The most that the author can 
do for you, gentle reader, is to furnish the outline; your 
own imagination must fill up the picture with its proper lights 
and shadows; however graceful the measure may be, your 
own intuition alone can supply the melody. It is your part 
to clothe this skeleton with flesh and breathe in life that this 
clod made of clay, may like our ancient progenitor by the 
power of a quickening inspiration become a living soul. 
Bid fancy hcAV a mask from each rough oak, 
A Phidian statue from each marble block. 



EARLY CHRISTMAS MORNING. 



Light of the ages, this dark world illume, 
Rise o'er the shadows, scatter earth's dread gloom. 
Cast thy fair beams upon the dismal night. 
Bid morning break upon our ravished sight. 

So long we feel these halos hovering round. 
The chilly dampness of the dewy ground. 
That fain would we behold the sun's clear ray 
Transforming midnight into joyous day. 

See toward the east the morning star arise. 
While streams of glory overspread the skies; 
Swift flee away the chariot wheels of niglit, 
While upward rolls the circling orb of light. 

It is the smile upon our Father's face 
That lights the worlds throughout the realm of space, 
That scatters gloom and darkness from the earth. 
And thrills the heart of man with gladsome mirth. 

Thou Son of righteousness of Mary born, 
Shed o'er our souls the beauteous rays of morn; 
Thy children here, expectant girls and boys. 
Await thy beams to crowj their Christmas joys. 



(11) 



TENDER REMEMBRANCES TOO REAL 
TO BE A DREAM. 



What ecstacy to hear from Eden's land 

The whispered breathings through each oaken bough 
To feel the touch of Ina's vanished hand 

Pressed lightly on the margin of this brow. 

While beauty dwelt within her silent tear, 
And maiden blushes decked her brows above; 

Her voice was music to my ravished ear 

Her words were wafted on the breath of love. 

She had a name which charmed me with its spell, 
A form that hovered o'er me in mid-air; 

Pier's was a song that I remember well 

Which echoed through the welkin every where. 

There was a smile which welcomed my return 
And sweetened life in times of bitter smart. 

Some frenzied impulse makes my spirit yearn, 
To kiss the tender hand that ruled my heart. 

No king could offer me so rich a prize 

Whose splendors dazzle in the world's eclipse 

Could I once gaze into those wondrous eyes 
And taste the honey on those rosy lips. 



TENDER REMEMBRANCES 13 



I want that presence in my darkened way 
I need it now to cheer my pensive mood, 

That face, the sun which changed the night to day 
And chased the gloom from Earth's grim solitude. 

Beneath this canopy, this vaulted sky 

Which spans the orient far as ancient Troy 

Xo earthly paragon need ever try 

To turn my wintry grief to summer's joy. 

Blest was the hour that gave her sovereign sway 
To rule with gentle sceptre this poor heart 

And never shall I cease to curse the day 

That dreaded day which tore our souls apart. 

Heaven pardon to my cheeks these tears of hrine 
'Tis dreary thus to dwell on earth alone 

By fate's decree when she was wholly mine 
Alas death wooed and won her for his own. 

How longs my soul for one brief hour of bliss 
One moment even while on bended knee 

I pledge my vow and steal her honeyed kiss 
And summon her sweet spirit back to me. 

Cheer up brave soul, for when fond hearts are breaking 
Life's cup of sorrow full and brimming o'er 

Sweet hope dispels tlie shadows death is making 

Soft light comes streaming from souie neighboring 
shore. 



U RHYMES 



Soon in the shaded vale where dwell in peace 

Those millions shrouded on their mother's breast 

Secluded from all sorrow we shall cease 
Wrapped in earth's mantle of eternal rest. 

There'll be a time when there will be a land 
Where earth's lost wandering tribes will reach 
their home. 



THE FIEST CHRISTMAS. 



The shepherds watched their flocks by night 
While angels trod the starlit way. 

Then Jesus saw the crimson light 

Which dawned upon His natal day. 



LIFE'S EVENTIDE. 



Hark ! 'tis the music of the spheres 

'Tis nature's sweetest song 
The voice of woodland greets our ears 

Where thunderings belong. 
Man, weep no more. 

Look how the evening shadow lowers 

With clouds of silver gray 
The messengers that presage showers 

Now shut the doors of day. 
Man, sleep no more. 

The vapor spread beneath the skies 
Moulds the arid fields anew; 

The earth which weeps when daylight dies 
Drinks in the honeyed dew. 
Man's heart is sore. 

Along the murky shades of night 

Grim spectres float in air; 
Sprites in the dark elude our sight 

But mortals feel them there. 
Grave souls deplore. 

The weary world will sink to rest 

Beneath this placid dome, 
While dreams will calm each troubled breast 

With silent thoughts of home. 
On Chebar's shore. 

(16) 



THE TWO VOYAGES. 



(1) THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. 

Long since we started with a trembling motion, 
Guiding the galley round our island's lee, 

To search our pathway through a trackless ocean, 
And test our manhood on this unknown sea. 

So hard we struggled with no chart to guide us, 

By hidden rocks where shipwrecks strew the main; 

So firm we stood when those wild waves defied us, 
So sturdy fought against rough wind and rain. 

That oft from out our course we drifted far, 

We grasped the helm within our firm control. 

We sharply watched the seaman's guiding star. 
We steered our craft by Danger's rocky shoal. 

Time and the sea have each their narrow boundings. 
Sail on, brave ship, convey thy treasures o'er; 

The plummet lead can reach deep ocean's soundings. 
Take courage, souls, float on toward yonder shore. 

Our ship grows old with timbers harshly creaking, 
The mists of age close round departing day; 

The storm-clouds gather o'er the port we're seeking, 
Down with the life ])oat, boys, pull hard away. 



THE TWO VOYAGES 



The vessel all ablaze on rocks is sinking, 

pity those lost souls wrecked on that strand; 

Heroes escape, while cowards all go slinking. 

And bold, brave seamen safely reach the land. 

When roll the waves of this world's bitter sorrow 

Around our storm-tossed bark which mounts on 
high; 

From out the depths of darkness, we may borrow 

Hope's comfort voiced above that grim grey sky. 

(2) THE VOYAGE OF DEATH. 

In ancient days of legend and of story, 

When wizard, ghost and fairy used to dwell, 

Among the mountain caverns, bleak and hoary, 
Strange mysteries could those old witches tell. 

A maiden lay upon the beach adreaming. 

Her father's hut stood on the hill near by, 

Rays from the setting sun were softly streaming, 

Through yonder pines whose shadows reached the 
sky. 

The mermaids crowded round her vast in number. 
To watch her pillowed on that oaken slab; 

While Elsie cradled in the arms of slumber. 
Saw visions brilliant as the hills of Mab. 



18 RHYMES 



The tide flowed in; down rolled the sweeping billow, 
Leaping all barriers far past the shelving line; 

The waters swelled beyond her oaken pillow, 

And bore the sleeping beauty through the brine. 

The mermaids caught her up by Heaven's decree, 
And gave her escort in true martial style; 

Through many a league, her sisters of the sea. 
Bore her away to their enchanted isle. 

When waves of death around our souls flow sweepings 
Bearing his victims through dark seas of blood. 

When mourners downcast on the shore stand weeping. 
Kind spirits bear us o'er the deep, cold flood. 

Their wings like oars above the waves are beating. 
With controversial stroke against the air; 

Some voice salutes us with a kindly greeting, 

Some hand still guides us with a father's care. 

While we sail homeward through the twilight gloaming, 
Day's weary eyelids droop with darkness veiled; 

By sure approaches we shall rest from roaming. 
Welcomed by comrades and by brothers hailed. 



THE LAND OF THE MOENING. 



Bold seamen pace o'er the storm-beaten deck, 
Staunch vessels shake in the billows' wild foam; 

Mariners' hearts in the tragical wreck, 

Cast a fond wish towards their boyhood's dear home. 

Just in the spring of life, passing the shadows, 
Down by the streamlets where swift waters flow; 

Breathing the fragrance which floats o'er the meadows. 
Grladly we stroll where the soft breezes blow. 

Often for love or for sympathy pining. 
Lost in the whirl of this giddy carouse; 

Busy in thoughtfulness stay we reclining, 

On the smooth river-bank 'neath the green boughs. 

Mist and cloud hover, where rude winds are sighing, 
Eound the rough hill-tops, among the tall pines. 

Darkness spreads over us, daylight is dying; 

Wreath of the sombre night round earth entwines. 

Through the bright, vernal day we may go plodding, 

Cheery at noontide, but weary at eve; 
Stars after nightfall now watch us a-nodding, 

Guarded in slumiber, the spirit's reprieve. 

Night comes apace in the crash of life's bubble, 
Darkness reveals to us heaven's shining goal; 

Oh, may we resting from earth's toil and trouble, 
Flee to tliose gates where dwells peace to the soul. 



20 RHYMES 



Land of the morning. Tlie noontide's red glare, 
Shines through the tree-tops in tropical bloom ; 

Twilight enfolds us in radiant air, 

Xight never starless enshrouds not with its gloom. 



VISIONS OF HOPE. 



There'll be a time when earth's wild roving tribes 

That pitch their tents here under heaven's high dome 
Will reach some land that's free from taunts and gibes 

Some shore that welcomes every pilgrim home. 
tell me shall that realm be ours at last 

Beyond the starry host that lines the sky. 
Celestial cities of the aged past 

Where dwell the martyred sires who never die? 
Tlie prayer most prevalent with heavenly powers 

Which knocks full gently at the gates on high 
Will gain sure entrance to those splendid towers 

Where man's chief hope and choicest treasures lie. 
Take heart, my soul, life's transient dream when o'er 

Will bring thee greeting from a brighter shore. 
Go make thy deeds a sermon that shall give 

The model teaching how the world should live. 

When the day of grace is dying. 

While the swift-winged hours are flying. 

To our task our souls applying. 
Let us watch, not wait, but work. 



WHEN JOHNNY COMES HOME FROM 
THE WAR. 



A Song by Ivan. 

Hey day hey, There is no use of weeping, 
Or nightly vigils keeping; 
For jolly tars, 
Bring sons of Mars; 
My Johnnie has come home. 
Upon the wild sea foam. 

Hey day hey. 

Heigh ho heigh, My heart can not be bleeding, 
Nor tongue to God be pleading 
For soldiers come 
With fife and drum^ 
My buxom boy is here 
Wliich fills my soul with cheer. 
Heigh ho heigl 



<21) 



ON THE BONNIE BLUE WAVES. 



On the bonnie blue waves of the ocean, 

Where the rolling of waters is heard; 
There's a thrilling delight in the motion, 

W^hen the galley flies swift as a bird. 
There's a joy in the heart of the seaman, 

While he warbles the mariner's lay; 
When he sails o'er the flood of Lake Leman, 

Or weighs anchor in a frith of Cathay. 
He can dance, he can sing and be merry. 

On the qnarter-deck rolicking free; 
While the jolly tars whisk round the wherry, 

Just as nimble as nymphs of the sea. 
When the shrouds of the pinnace are creaking. 

In the swell of the frolicksome gale; 
While the reef-lines still drip with the reeking. 

As it sprays from the foam on the sail; 
Lo, the sea-boy stands brave as a hero. 

At the helm with his masterly grip ; 
And with courage more stern than of Nero, 

He controls his own wind-driven ship. 



(22) 



BOABDIL OF ALMA. 
THE DEVASTATED CITY. 



Eccl. 9:14. 
Three thousand years ago, the city lay, 

Together clustered on a group of hills, 
Where palaces of beauty, rich and gay 

Stood on the verdant banks of placid rills; 
Embowered all in rows of lofty trees. 

Which lined the winding streets on either side, 
Whose branches swayed aloft with every breeze, 

Like billows on the ocean's rolling tide. 

It seemed an ancient, venerable town. 

Supplied with monuments and moss-grown towers, 
High mounted battlements which grimly frown, 

In foreign wars with military powers. 
In former years, this city proudly stood, 

Immense in wealth, a vast metropolis 
Secured commercial gains, treasures of wood. 

Gold, silver, gems, which crowned their civic bliss. 

The citizens possessed a boundless store; 

Intelligence and culture, wisdom, wit 
And learning flourished in the days of yore, 

And arts and trades, which for those times were fit. 



24 RHYMES 



That splendid city nameless once had grown; 

Ages had blotted from the human mind 
The memory of the spot, which then was shown 

To travellers, who since no trace could find. 

In Holy Writ the town is justly named, 

E'en celebrated as the ancient site, 
Of battles fought, and contests widely famed, — 

Historic in its record and its might. 
It is no fiction of the poet's brain, 

No creature of his playful fancy, wrought 
In dreams of his imagination, wild and vain, 

No picture conjured by his tragic thought. 

But castled villas there in truth were built. 

And walls of stone surrounded that fair site. 
There domes, and splendid temples crowned with gilt 

Resplendant shone, and glittered in the light. 
Some warlike nation envied this small town. 

And threatened to destroy the modest place; 
One slight offence provoked their angry frown. 

They hastened down to crush it in disgrace. 

Fierce were those warriors, hardy, brave and strong. 

Barbaric in their temper and their wills; 
Impregnable their fortresses, the rocks among, 

Thus firm their ramparts stood on terraced hills. 
Clad in their coats of armor, strongly steeled. 

With Bresset, crested casque with lofty plume. 



BOABDIL OF ALMA 25 

They wore greave, brassart, vambrace, corselet nealed 
In Vulcan's furnace, chilled in Lethe's flume. 

With brawny arm and brazen strength they fight, 

Wonted to conquer as confront their foe. 
With sword, spear, helmet marshalled in their might, 

With death's destruction in the darts they throw. 
Full fifty years passed by while Vengeance slept 

Within the closure of Boabdil's breast, 
For legends tell us how his warriors kept 

Their spell-bound vigils during watchful rest. 

Like Sagitarius with the archer's bow, 

They staid inthralled in posture of suspense, 
Till waked from slumber, summoned forth, they go 

To stand or fall in Alma's brave defense. 
While these still halted lingering as they dreamed. 

Thrice came some bravo to their squadron's cave; 
Half-sleeping and half-waking still they seemed, 

But looked like basilisks to that sly knave. 

Boabdil stared and eyed the villain's face. 

Then asked he, "Is it time yet?" "Nay," answered he; 
The bandit trembling fled with hurried pace. 

And dared no more intrusive sights to see. 
King of that cavern by whose wondrous spell, 

Magicians captive hold their slavish herd, 
Boabdil needs but sound his magic shell. 

To arms they spring attendant on his word. 



26 RHYMES 



One gentle stroke of his stout sceptred wand. 

Could set a million warriors cheek by jowl, 
One mighty empire welded by his bond, 

Holds subject nations neath his firm control. 
Erect they sat upon their noble steeds. 

Calmly awaited mute the trumpet's blast. 
Long had they yearned to show heroic deeds. 

The horn's strill note aroused their blood at last. 

With bristling rage and angry frown the war 

Lifts her bold front outside the castled gate, 
And grasps the prey with her imperious claw. 

And measures strength with stern decrees of fate. 
While now they grapple in the clutch of strife, 

Boabdil leads his army to the field, 
Bears his bold standard, reckless of his life. 

Through ranks of braves, by force compelled to yield. 

The shout of victory which rends the air, 

Eeverberates along the distant hills, 
The song of triumph which the breezes bear, 

Eeaches the sky and all the welkin fills. 
Alma is saved. Xo longer now shall fears 

Depress her hope or blight her promised joy. 
No longer doomed to pay to grief her tears. 

She shall enrich her treasures till they cloy. 



THE ANGKY WOED. 



THOUGHTS FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 



I spoke a word in anger, 

Jesns was passing by. 
His face beamed full of pity, 

A tear bedimmed his eye. 
"Why weepest thou, my Savior? 

Oh speak the reason why?" 
"I feel too sad to tell 3^ou," 

Was his demure reply. 

Jesus beheld me weeping, 

My heart w4th sorrows stirred 
To think He w^ould deny me 

A single plaintive word. 
His love glows true and tender, 

As oft I've gladly heard; 
I crave to learn the answer 

So sadly still deferred. 

The spectacle appalling, 

Alas ! What do I see ? 
Hands, feet and side still bleeding, 

And sorely pierced by me ! 
I plead my quest .\io longer. 

Since conscience points my plea; 
My sin, my sin hath nailed Him 

To death's accursed tree. 



(27) 



SAILOK BOY. 



I'd be a sailor boy 

And ride upon the waves 
My heart and life all joy 

For this my spirit craves 
With pleasures wdld and free 

So would I gladly roam 
Skimming the dajk blue sea 

With all the world my home 
I love the rough mad wind 

The ship's proud gallant form 
My chief delights I find 

In terrors of the storm 
Though each heroic deed 

To fame be unexpressed 
Enough shall be its meed 

Within the sailor's breast. 
Then bid me soon depart 

From this my native shore 
Bear well the painful smart 

Should I return aio more. 



(2S) 



THE EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY. 



Aged sire grown weak and sickly 
Haste thy sands are almost run 

What thou hast to do do quickly ; 
For thy task will soon be done. 

Now the morn of youth remember 

Fast hath sped through years begun 

This last day of bleak December 
Closeth by the setting sun. 

Long before thy locks grew hoary 

Thou didst gather harvest seeds; 

Finish life's eventful story 

By the grandest, noblest deeds. 

BraTcly struggle, cease repining, 

Fight the battle in God's name 

Strew the victories all shining 

Through the galaxy of fame. 

When thy life is most in earnest 
Just before its solemn close 

When with fiery zeal thou burnest 

Dost thou dread the night's repose? 

Deck the sunset sky all hoary 

With vermilion stain the cloud; 

Wrap the mantle of thy glory 

Round thee like that twilight shroud. 



30 RHYMES. 



Tlioii shalt sleep in dreamy slumber, 
In thy home of peaceful rest, 

When thou dwellest v/ith that number 
Who shall live forever blest. 

Life now through thy body courses 

Streams their channels amply fill ; 

Soon the fount v/ill dry their sources 
Weary heart grow faint and still. 

Tottering footsteps, hands that tremble, 
Stooping shoulders bent with age 

Hollow cheeks and eyes resemble 
Figures on thy tragic stage. 



Man turns gray by care and sorrow. 
Autumn leaves by frost and age. 

Setting suns foretell the morrow. 
Winter ends life's pilgrimage. 

Time like ebbing tide resistless 

Ever onward towards the goal 

Moves in majesty so listless 

Thou canst never hear his roll. 

Men like trees may live till eighty 
Battling storms of winters cold 

Pro\dng thus by reasons weighty 
ITow they haply grow not old. 



THE EIGHTIE TH BIR THDA Y 31 

Grand is life in age advancing 

Towards the silent closing scene; 
Eonnd its hopes in fancy dancing 

Age is peaceful and serene. 

We were fond of mirthful pleasure 

Years ago when life was young 
V\^e could tread the sportive m( asure, 

Xow our lute hangs there unstrung. 

^lorning suns no longer beaming, 

Days of feasting please no more, 
^ow our souls wait sweetly dreaming 

Till we reach yon golden shore. 

Passion ceaseth to impel us 

Onward by his tidal wave, 
Thousands of wise maxims tell Ub 

Youth is gay, but age is grave. 




OUE CHOICEST TREASURE. 



Fain would I choose my humble lot 
Mid trellised vines that deck my cot 

And clustered fern. 
Let modest dames stand at my gate 
My own sweet child shall there await 

My home-return. 

More than the gilded halls of kings, 
Better than treasure this earth brings, 

Of wealth untold, 
I prize my little cottage home. 
Dearer by far than fanes of Rome, 

Or mines of gold. 

To me there's one bright cherished spot 
My own serene enchanted grot 

Where dwells a dove; 
And oh, how precious to my heart 
The child that forms of life a part 

And claims our love. 

She captivates in maiden's guise. 
With wit as sparkling as her eyes 

She wins the tlirong. 
Her beauty graced with lovely charms 
Attracts each gallant knight in arms 

To hear her sonir. 



OUR CHOICEST TREASURE 33 

Upon her brow like lilies fair 
Hang auburn tresses of her hair 

In ringlet curls. 
Upon her cheeks of rosy hue 
She gathers the fresh honey-dew 

Which gladdens girls. 

Let wooers come in stately ships; 
Sweet as a peach her parted lips 

Invite a kiss; 
Impassioned lovers choose their mates 
While fond affection calmly waits 

To seal their bliss. 

Though oft with woful cares beset, 
I would not for a world forget 

My childhood's friend. 
But hold her image set apart 
Still chambered, nestling in my heart 

Till life shall end. 




THE STONE WHICH FELL WITH ADAM. 



On the banks of Kiisar where the old prophet dreams 
While the waters flow by from the dear crystal springs, 
In the garden of Paradise Adam still seems 
To be stunned with the message which Azrail brings. 
The tradition as old as the birth of man's soul 
Says his body was formed from seven colors of clod 
Dug from seven depths of earth ; every whit of the whole 
Was kneaded by angels, then moulded by God. 
Down from Paradise fell a marvellous stone 
And "the right hand of God on the earth" is its name ; 
It will float on the water and swim all alone 
In the Kabey at Mecca the land of its fame. 
While it rests in the hold of its silvery shrine 
Where the j\Ioslem salutes it v.^ith reverent kiss, 
Though Karmata's heretical sect may malign 
It still ministers worlds to Mehometan bliss. 
Though it once was as white as the first virgin snow. 
Its old coat is turned black by pollution's foul stain, 
But within it is spotless as Meccans still show 
And its euplike depression will ever remain. 



(34) 



THE HOLY STONE. 



When Abraham the Kabey framed 
His scaffold was the Holy Stone 
Whose power to move itself he claimed 
Both up and down was all its own. 
Above his tomb an iron chest 
This sacred relic keeps confined, 
Locked like a secret in man's breast 
Safe from the greed of all mankind. 
The footprints of the patriarch 
Upon its summit still are shown, 
Quaint are the characters which mark 
The surface of this "holy stone". 



THE WELL OF ZEM ZEM. 



Northward from Kabey where the Hatim stood 
Mohammed preached the doctrines he thouD'ht good 
While he still dwelt in Mecca. Further east 
The well of Zem Zem, pride of Moslem priest, 
Pours forth its waters. Pilgrims on the brink 
Of this rare fount with eager fondness drink 
With zest as keen as youth a maid's sweet love, 
Health giving power descending from above 
Rests on these streamlets : flagons wrought of gold 
And cups of sterling silver such as hold 
The wines of Harem, prize their wealth untold. 



m THE BIETHDAY OF OUR REPUBLIC. 



Colonial chieftains of our warlike clans, 
Brave as the knights of Albion's thrifty isle 
Charged bayonets through savage hostile bands, 
Transfixing hecatombs upon each pile. 
The lofty pines unscathed by forest fires 
Amidst the thickets of the mountain ash 
Erect their towering heads like temple spires 
Above the stormy clouds and lightning's flash. 

These emblems of man's pride, his pomp and power 
Which rival the dread majesty of kings. 
Still ward the empire in stern danger's hour 
While cherubs spread the aegis of their wings. 
Ours is the land of Freedom's guileless care. 
Strong in her guard of brave heroic men, 
Honored by women virtuous and fair ^ 

Whose daughters are the choicest that we ken. 

Such be the flowers of state and blooming fronds 

Which Heaven bestows to deck and cheer men's lives. 

These be, Libertv, the Runic wands 

Through whose mysterious charms our country thrives. 

Though alien ships far stouter built than she 

Have borne their inmates down to ocean graves 

Our craft sails o'er the hungry wasteful sea ; 

Her ponderous bulk defies both wind and waves. 



IN THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR REPUBLIC 2,1 

In days of yore though anarchists conld tease 
With deep intent to plot the death of kings^ 
Our sires unfurled their banner to the breeze, 
Shielded their sons beneath the eagle's wings. 
With glad delight upon her natal day 
America beheld the rise of dawn 
As round the mother's cheek joy's dimples play, 
When after travail's throes her child is born. 

This is the home to Washington held dear 
And ours the country Warren died to save, 
The fatherland which our fond hearts revere 
Each vale and hill hallows some patriot's grave. 
Their deeds no memory would wish to blot; 
Her canopy the welkin's stars bestud ; 
Heaven's splendid orbs survey no grander spot 
Bedewed with tears and riched with sacred blood. 



THE WHITE STO^E. 



The white stone, there can be no doubt 
For Moslem legends plainly tell 
Eeceives the rain from golden spout 
And forms the tomb of Ishmael. 



TIES OF FEIE^DSHIP. 



There is a nook wherein fond memory dwells 
In rapt delight upon the bygone days 
When friendship's ties, as some old ballad tells, 
Furnished the theme for passion's rival lays. 

Emotions like the love we owe a mother 
Implant a tenderness which most endears, 
The cord that binds one soul nnto another 
Grows firmer through the lapse of passing years. 

Among the ruins withered, old and rotten 
The verdure thrives ; fresh buds and blossoms start ; 
Age knows no hour when friends shall be forgotten. 
Though time and distance drive them wide apart. 

What shall we do when ties are rent asunder? 
Where shall we go when life's sweet dream is past? 
Before us worlds of mystery and wonder 
Erect their thrones where spirits dwell at last. 

There is a pang in parting v/ith our treasure. 
Although the gold be mingled thick with dross, 
The strength of our affection has its measure 
By heavy grief and sorrow for our loss. 

Alas ! the bond of friendship must be broken. 
Save that remembrance holds our lost still deax; 
Closed be the eyes when love's last word is spoken, 
Yet may we feel the spirit ever near. 



(38) 



AN IxV SCRIPTION TO A LOVELY GIRL. 



Stranger beware nor roughly tread 
Upon the sod that here lies nev.^ 

Where mourner's tears so lately shed 
Still mingle with the morning dew. 

Fresh flowers some pious hands have strewn 
On this fair spot 'neath yew-tree's shade, 

Whose fragrant beanty all their own 
Soon drooping in an hour will fade. 

Sweet as these flowers in freshest bloom 
Was love v/hich cherished this fair maid; 

A deeper grief, a darker gloom 

O'ertook us v/hen our hopes decayed. 

Eobins still sing their requiem 

In plaintive notes on yonder bough, 

While wounded hearts respond to them 
In token of love's sacred vow. 

Beneath this spangled sky we build 
Our altar here, our holy slirine. 

And pledge our vows to be fulfilled 

AVhile heaven's eternal stars shall shine. 



THE STORM AT SEA. 



On the coast of the Atlantic 
Stands a maiden's cot romantic, 

Echoing to the breaker's roar 
While the tide of life's emotion 
Swells to greet the troubled ocean 

Dashing on the rocky shore. 

From the wild waves deeply sighing 
Winds that howl, and groans of dying 

Boatmen seek the sheltered lee. 
Youth with love and beauty laden 
Rapt in dalliance of the maiden 

Hear the music of the sea. 

Scenes which thrill the soul with terror 
Through the storm-king's fatal error, 

Swell throughout the lurid air; 
To man's view the dread unfolding 
Strikes with fear the eye beholding 

Wreck and ruin everywhere. 

Far around the beach is scattered 
With the spars of vessels shattered 

To the bound of Neptune's tide. 
Where the storms are rudely beating 
Thunder-clouds and tempest meeting 

Toss the white-winged ships aside. 



THE STORM A T SEA 41 



Hark, j^e hear the sea-boy's story, 
Eeckless life mid scenes of glory. 

How he climbs the mizzen spar 
While the ship rocked like a cradle, 
Dipping billows as a ladle, 

Floats adrift without a star. 

All the sky is densely clouded^ 
Heaven itself with gloom is shrouded. 

While the world grows dark to me 
Look ye how the flashes glisten 
Hear the thunder-clap and listen 

To the storm that rules the sea. 




TYPES OF DAEKEST GLOOxM. 

The sweetest rose I ever knew 

Once blossomed near my garden wall ; 
The sun that kissed the morning dew 

Beheld its leaflets fade and fall. 

A fledgling nested on the bough, 

Her head with mother's wings begirt, 

Watching the furrow of the plough 
She fell and took a grievous hurt. 

Beneath the curtains wrought in gold 

Fair was the prince as there he slept. 

Dim were his eyes ; his limbs grew cold 
And o'er his bier a nation wept. 

The peasant all too poor to own 

The cradle where his babe may rock, 

Feels grief as keen called to bemoan 
As any king death's cruel shock. 

From lowest beds of earth's decay 

Midst marshy heaths, and fells below 

Where spreads the dark untrodden way 
The brightest mosses thrive and grow. 

When midnight shades surround with gloom 
The life bereft of all that's dear. 

Treasures lie buried in the tomb, 

Eisen from death new hopes appear; 



TYPES OF DARKEST GLOOM 43 



Then from the cerements of the dead 

Where mortal flesh still crumbling lies, 

Spring up the roses white and red 

Whose beauty never fades nor dies. 




A EETURNING PILGRIM. 
A SONG. 



Bright the stars now shine aro"^d me 

In the welkin's dome 
Orbs which light the path of darxness 

Where earth's pilgrim's roam. 

Chorus : 
Sweet the rose that scatters perfume 

Through the scented breeze 
Grateful to my sense are moonbeams 

Shadowed by the trees. 

Silence and an awful stillness 

Hush the fields around 
Fairies trip with faintest footprints 

On this hallowed ground. 

Elfish shadows, mist of dreamland 
Vanish through the gloam 

Yonder lo ! there see my cottage 
Children, wife and home. 

Chorus : 

Sweet the rose that scatters perfume 
Through the scented breeze 

Grateful to my sense are moonbeams 
Shadowed bv the trees. 



mSCEIPTION ON A TOMBSTONE. 



Warrior of God^, lay down thine armour now, 
Life's battle ended, quire the song of peace, 
From sweat of conflict wipe thy blood-stained brow, 
'Tis time, grey hero, that thy warfare cease. 

Haul down the banner from the castle walls 
Furl up the victor's flag which waves o'erhead 
Thine ears shall heed no more the trumpet calls 
Thine eyes see not again foe's martial tread. 

Silent in thy dark tent the drummer's beat 
Which summoned thee to duty's field of strife 
The drum-corps used no note that sounds retreat 
But cheered thee on beyond the verge of life. 

Through fate which rules the world the die is cast 
Henceforth to range the everlasting hills 
Thy destined lot : the gates of bliss are passed 
Thy soul with heaven's eternal rapture thrills. 



(45) 



THE LIMIT OF AMBITIO:^^ AND SELF-LOVE. 



Obsequioiis with fulsome flattery, 
The flunky pufl^s man's pride with sottish zeal; 
His adulations by their grossness fail, 
Thus to deceive the wise who estimate 
Merit alone, stripped of encumbrances. 
Perfection lies beyond the human soul, 
Compassed in circles, heavenly and Divine. 



THE WOUNDS OF PASSION WITHOUT 
EEMEDY. 



Factitious scars upon the child's fair hand, 

Cut by the blade of boyhood's ruthless steel, 

Become obliterate in man's old age; 

But wounds upon the mind, as years roll by. 

Sink down too far and leave their scars too deep 

For time's rough surgery. 

Grief, anger and revenge, how keen their edge ! 

When whetted, like the chisel on its stone. 



(4(5) 



THE COSMIAD. 

THE FIEST DUAN". 

EESOUECES OF THE MUSE. 

Let loose the reins of fancy while I sing 

For thee, Calliope, this modest lay; 

Aid me to touch the graceful strings in tune, 

On great Apollo's lyre, whose charming song. 

Resounded once on famed Lavinian shores; 

There Maro caught the music and the fire 

Of bards inspired with poesy's bright flame, 

Sing, thou celesial Muse, with thy shrill voice. 

Of earth's well-ordered frame and tragic end. 

And man's heroic life in this dark world. 

On the fair hills of Thrace each poet strolls. 

Where fountains gush from deep Pierian springs. 

may these waters gratefully instil 

Their freshness and their sweetness through each word, 

Which like the drop fills up this measure's brim. 



THE PROEM. 
2 A PLEA FOR POESY. 

When slumber draws the curtain of the night. 
Around the couch where innocence reclines. 
On pillows soft as down, how placid seem 
Those dreams of honeyed bliss which fancy's child, 



48 C08MIAD. 



Pictures upon that fabric of thin air. 
By what strange art the brain of man transforms, 
Those unsubstantial shadows of the mind 
Into real images and figured shapes, 
From tissues of such vapid nothingness, 
Transcends the reach of man's philosophy, 
With wisdom's gifts to fathom and reveal. 
With equal skill and beauty doth the bard 
Trace and arrange these phantoms in his verse, 
With exquisite delight, and no man knows. 
The fount of inspiration whence it flows. 

8 POET'S PASSION. 

These words may seem as false and frantical. 

As poems once by forgery ascribed 

To Eawley's muse; but glowing thoughts will live. 

As long as time shall last or earth endure. 

And they will stand still burnished for the fight 

Against detractive minions of the night. 

Who fain would quench the sparkling of their light. 

In earth's dark chambers of oblivion. 

These thoughts, beguiling oft our idle hours. 

Lead fancy captive to the chains of wit. 

And lock the senses in Elysium. 

Alas, why should the shattered intellect, 

Dull as a broken bell, and out of tune, 

So harshly jangled these wild discords play. 

Instead of reason's music. 



A PLEA FOR POESY 49 

Frenzied minds 

Distempered with that heat no nostrum heals. 
Bereft of nature's guide, now touch the strings. 
Whose notes sound false with a vanished melody. 
The poet though enrapt with passion's glow, 
Chastens and guides his frenzy in due course. 
To noble strains which stir the nation's heart. 
Baubles and toys, playthings of haughty peers, 
Formed like a gourd to perish in an hour; 
Such froth and empty stuff composed of dreams, 
Woven from shadows, — call this poesy ? 
It seems too vapid, flat and dull to wear 
The livery of time's unnumbered years, 
Or bear the stamp immortal on its brow. 

4 POETEY'S LOFTY PLEASURE. 

Not for the beauty of its phrase alone, 

Its stately measure and majestic tread. 

Does poetry bear sway in human hearts; 

But rather for the sympathy it feels 

In every phase of human want and woe. 

Of such a literary boon to man. 

We can not be too prodigal of praise. 

The verse which sounds like viols to the ear. 

Oft thrills the heart with chords of harmony. 

There is a height above the reach of kings. 

Although they strive to gain more lofty thrones, 



60 COS MI AD. 



Where poets grapple with that winter's wind, 
Which drives the storm-cloud from his brooding nest. 
From whence their breath of inspiration flows. 

5 POETRY IX NATURE. 

There is a miisick in the zephyr's breeze, 

In the soft whisper of the forest leaves. 

And the sweet evening air all dripped with dew; 

They only need the voice and tuneful lyre. 

Of nature's bards to shape their melody 

To ears most grateful for their winsome song. 

Some poets flash like spectral meteors. 

Or comets in their circuits through the sky, 

They rise in splendor ; but alas ! how soon, 

Proud glory sets in gloom; — the choicest few, 

LiJ^e planets, sun and stars, march in their spheres, 

Through years and ages with their light undimmed. 

However high the arrows and the birds. 

May wing their way above the fleecy clouds; 

Some realms of space still lie beyond their flight, 

Where noble thoughts may reach the dizzy height. 

Should they though quaking, neither fag nor fail. 

6 REASON DISCLAIMED. 

Prophets and ancient seers from Hebron's wild. 
Empaled around with circlets of red fire 
(As round lulus' head spread lambent flame) 
Betokened transports of the poet's maze. 



A PLEA FOR POESY 51 

So from Eleusis rose the wizard's spell, 

That haunts the Bactrian princes with the ghost 

Of her dead sponse however wild fancy's rage, 

Usurps the seat of reason's banished throne. 

Masked hypocrites with halo archly crowned, 

Impersonate the saintly patriarchs. 

With Simon Magns' sorcery bewitched. 

Subtle as Lucifer, arch and accurst, 

Beneath whose artful irony the fiends 

Quivered and quailed, or smiled with ghastly grin. 

That caused a shudder midst the realms of gloom. 

7 UNEARTHLY YISITAXT8. 

Through this demoniac world the shapeless forms 

Of ghostly visitants fill earth's dim air, 

Drawn from the courts of heaven's empyreal space. 

The eager hosts on high crook their strained necks. 

To gain a glimpse of demons robed in gauze. 

While shadows pass in outline well disguised. 

Spirits of upper or the nether spheres, 

Dance lightly on the bosom of the clouds, 

While darkness spreads her wings of ebon shade. 

Above the deep abysm or desert waste. 

No breath or sound disturbs the listening ear. 

Save the soft murmur of the ocean tides. 

Which beat against the confines of the shore. 



62 C08M1AD. 



8 SPIRITS UXSEEN. 

These beings which thus hover in mid-air, 
Screened from the gaze of mortal eyes of flesh, 
Bear in their hands the woof and warp of life, 
Whereby man weaves his web of destiny. 
Hid in the mazes of some tangled wood, 
These spirits lead him on to danger's cliff. 
Until he totters on its utmost verge ; 
But gains deliverance and timely aid. 
From buxom elf or knightly cavalier. 
Festoons of ivy crown the panelled arch. 
Beneath the spangled dome of night's gray sky. 
The cold, pale moon that travels e'er alone. 
Looms in the distance through yon fleecy cloud. 

9 ' STEALTHY DEATH. 

The stars look down through eyes of planet mold. 

Enchased with rubies richly set in gold. 

Engrailed as 'twere with rare Saint Cuthbert's beads. 

We tread the mazes of this mystic world. 

Through dismal and black chaos thickly veiled. 

With curtains of the night, mid mysteries 

And gloom, encountered on our way 

With doubts and fears, misgivings, auguries. 

Which crush our blooming hopes within the grasp 

Of Time's all-conqiiering hand. Fail not to mark 

How curtly that sly visitant called death, 



THE WEARY WAY 53 

Which steals through chambers in the dead of night. 
With wanton playfulness sports with man's life. 
As with some worthless toy ; but cloyed with jest, 
Crowns his mad pranks by dashing it to earth, 
Breaking to atoms past all hope of mending. 
The fragile image formed of potter's clay. 

10 GRIEF IX PARTIXG. 
Mingled emotions of despair and grief. 

Fill this pent heart when dear ones die. We weep : 

The scalding tears drop from these swollen lids, 

In plenteous showers to drench these furrowed cheeks ; 

So Jesus wept when Lazarus had died. 

And nothing but the hope which springs from Christ, 

Can still man's throbbing brain, suppress his sighs. 

Quiet the sobs, subdue the anxious fears. 

Or soothe the sadness of his aching heart. 

Whether I walk through rough Hyrcanian wilds. 

Or else with burning feet tread those parched plains 

Of Nubia; still everywhere I meet 

My fellow travelers, wending their weary way. 

In search of that lost city which all souls 

Pursue throughout the crooked, winding paths. 

Along life's devious road as seamen seek 

Atlantis, buried in Poseidon's gulf. 

11 HUMAX YEARXIXGS. 

The eager heart yearns while each pilgrim cries 
In bitterness : where is Arcady ? 



54 COS M IAD. 



Why is it that within this burdened breast, 
The fire of longing burns, no flood can quench, 
Why rage these wild desires like frantic fumes. 
Whose feverish outburst spares no anodyne — 
Kavings no skillful alchemist can heal ? 
couldst thou break asunder from earth's power. 
Snap chains of vice which hold with links of steel, 
W^hich fetter thy weak limbs, by Eblis bound. 
Buffet with sinew's force the torrent's rage, 
And stem the whirling tide before it mounts 
"Above thy head and bears thee swiftly down. 
Into that eddying vortex of Hell's gulf. 

1-3 STRENUOUS DISCIPLINE. 

Hath Heaven the will to grant proud man control 
Of lusts which rage and rave within his breast. 
Like the untamed elements of stormy seas. 
When winds tear clefts in topmost crest of waves ? 
With giant's mighty strength we topple down. 
The lusty billows which would drive us on. 
To sleep in gloomy death's cold, icy grasp. 
We heed that God who rides upon the wind 
Midst terror, curbs the fury of the storm. 
Job was a man so wise, well versed in wit. 
That from the lap of fortune chose he stripes 
And lashes rude which point the way to worth. 
Much rather than her bold, lewd courtesies; 
Or her embraces which degrade the soul ; 



BOUNDLESS POWER DIVINE 55 

And sought more eagerly the froAvns of Fate, 
Than her bland smiles which woo to ruin's wreck. 
He kept no courtly fool to charm his ear. 
With flatter}'-, guile, or guise of fond deceit. 
Patterned no form like Satan's monstrous child. 
Born of wild brain, disordered fantasy, 
As earth's parturient mountain opes her womb. 
To bring forth prodigies of molten waste. 

13 C40D'S MIGHTINESS. 

God measures earth's ecliptic with a span. 

And girdles heaven's host with lightning's flash. 

Quick as the twinkling of His piercing eye. 

He hollows out the vault of Fingal's cave. 

In Hebrides, on Staffa's sea-girt isle. 

And wields the waves which dash against cape Wrath. 

Before his august j)ower the nations bow, 

The Bishop in his rochet, and the peer 

In mantelet, yea all who wear the pomp, 

And gaudy trappings of a King obey His high behests. 

More marvellous it is that He can love 

Base man whose puny arm defies His power. 

Or tolerate within His sheltering care. 

So vile an ingrate as this vvorthless tool. 

14 APPEOACH OF MOEX. 

Man boasts of valor, wisdom, strength. 

Yet with the smallest task grows weary, faint, 



56 COSMIAD. 



Takes to his couch for needed rest and sleep, 

Though slightly injured cries like some whipped child. 

Too naughty even to claim the hope to live. 

Now through the collied pillars of the night, 

The garish day peeps in, fresh tinged with hues, 

Which morn portrays upon the mantling cloud. 

In crimson colors on heaven's damask brow. 

Into commatic periods and years. 

The sun divides man's life ; and he beholds 

Each hour an infant generation born. 

And many young and aged laid to rest. 

15 BEEVITY OF LIFE. 

The anatomic structure of this frame. 

So skillfully adjusted to its end. 

Obeys the heart's pulsations through the years. 

And never for one instant cease those throbs. 

Until disease at last clogs every wheel. 

And this machine stops working at God's will. 

The compass of this life appears as 'twere, 

An instantaneous twinkling of the eye. 

One moment after heaven's grey dawn appears, 

Night comes to shut the door on weary day. 

The mist which hovers o'er the mountain top. 

The fleecy cloud which floats in summer air. 

The dew which sparkles on the hillside flower. 

The frost which blights the early buds of spring. 

Melt not so soon, nor j^et dissolve so fast. 



THE CHARNEL 



Beneath the rays of tropic suns, Avhose heat 

Dispels them all in forms impalpable, 

As doth the vapor of a human life, 

In man's brief day which speeds with restless flight. 

16 THE DAEK A^4ULT. 

Upon earth's mounds now view the countless graves, 

Or in her vales where human skeletons 

Lie buried deep beneath the dark, cold clod. 

Or on the ocean's bed of mouldering bones ; 

Behold how wide a swath Time's scythe hath mown ! 

How large autumnal harvests Death hath reaped! 

Those tranquil nations calmly rest and sleep : 

Xo sound of earth disturbs their sweet repose ; 

Dull are their ears and dark their sightless eyes, 

In dismal silence pass their hours away. 

And we shall be like them — who knows how soon? 

At birth the die is cast which puts our life 

In hazard of surcease. 

17 THE MISTY MORN. 

Sometimes the morn 

Is dark and stormy, while black clouds o'erhang 

The murky sky, and when the v,dld winds cease. 

Before the noontide rings the quiet laiell. 

How oft the bride and groom, joined hand in hand. 

Start out with dewy footprints on the lawn. 

Ascend the hill together till hi2:h noon, 



58 COSMIAD. 



They reach the STimmit and descend its slope, 

Lie down to sleep at even ^neath its base. 

No sooner does the flitting summer end, 

Than winter's solstice rules the closing year. 

Alcedo, king-bird of the billow's crest, 

Broods on her nest among the wave-washed crags. 

Which jutty o'er the surging ocean's verge. 

On rocky reefs where shipwrecked cargoes cling. 

She sits and listens to the moaning sea. 

18 THE GOAL OF HOPE. 

Born in rough weather in the world's rude storm. 
The soul taJ^es flight on pinions swift as wind, 
Consults the stars to find the horoscope. 
Which rules the fate of her nativity. 
Nor rests to plume her wing till she hath gained. 
The fields of halcyon balm in realms of peace. 
In spirit dreams behold we that ascent. 
Higher than eagles soar, beyond the clouds. 
On Jacob's ladder leading to the sky. 
Where angels climb accompanied by man. 
The brilliant prospect of the heights beyond. 
Surpassing all conceptions of man's hope. 
Gives power of toleration thus to bear, 
These human griefs and loads of bitterness. 

19 WHEEE IS THE HAVEN? 
When faith reveals to our admiring gaze, 
Tlie end of suffering, the reward of toil. 



A PLEA FOR POESY 59 

It fans hope's embers into glowing flame, 

Kindles the eye with rapture and delight. 

tell us ye hoar sages, where to flee, 

That we may rid us of these cumbrances, 

Which bind the spirit in such shackled straits ; 

How deal with this dull compound made of clay, 

Compact of human passions, vices, fears. 

Which storm the breast with helFs fierce enginery. 

Where shall we seek the anchorage for hope. 

Amid the tossings of tempestuous waves, 

The tumults of life's ocean, wild and drear ? 

The gate of this world's grief swings open wide. 

Wherein the path of sorrow grov/s so broad. 

That all mankind may jointly go abreast ; 

But heaven's wicket proffers scanty space. 

For one among that multitude to pass 

That door with earth's emblazoned armor on. 

20 BOTH SIDES OF THE LETHEAN STEEAM. 

How soon amidst hushed voices shall we see. 
Cold, pallid limbs, with stiff and frigid forms, 
Eyes closed, cheeks pale, brows rigid, silent lips ! 
This complex mixture of earth's substances, 
Which we call world goes right on still the same. 
Consummate Wisdom, when life's functions cease, 
Controls the structure of this universe. 
As constant as heaven's constellations stand. 
Within the vast empyrean of fixed stars. 



60 COISMIAD. 

There was a time in earth's long history, 

When Just one million lived upon her breast; 

Beneath the surface slept as many more; 

But since that moment of life's gradual scale, 

Thus poised in equal balance on the beam, 

How vast a number of inhabitants. 

The waking and sleeping swelled those ranks. 

Till dwellers here surpass man's reckoning, 

While countless multitudes now fill earth's graves. 

As withered wort when pinched and killed with frost. 

Lies buried in the earth; so man, the prey 

Of mighty foes with which he copes. 

Shall waste away in dust until God's voice, , 

Convokes one great assembly of death's spoils. 

Storm on bold Winter with your cold, bleak winds. 

While Nature shivers in her shroud of snow, 

With bitterness and cruelty severe. 

As man's ingratitude or woman's scorn. 

Deeper than chasms upon the Alps, 

Where gloars the chamois scaped from courser's chase, 

Man's hopes and fearo lie n.'ingled with his dust. 

Time's mortal centuries mould and decay. 

Beneath tlie tide of human sufferance, 

Long ere life's stormy billows cease to roll. 

21 DESTIXY. 

No corselet can protect against those darts. 
Which hit the breast from death's relentless bow ; 



THIS INDIFFERENT WORLD 61 

Xo wattled cot can hem this monster in : 

Wide through the world he stalks through tragic scenes, 

With visage grim and woful countenance. 

Acting his part with ancient buskins shod. 

Yearning for home, the human spirit craves 

Deliverance from bonds which to earth chain. 

Each soul claims freedom from corroding cares, 

Beneath the shelter of imperial crowns. 

I hear the rumbling of those chariot wheels. 

Through death's dark valley rolling on. 

22 HEEDLESS THE WOELD MOA^ES OK. 

I see 

The flaming cloud which hovers round these hills. 

Waiting to bear the disembodied soul, 

Through, heaven's etherial space to yonder gate, 

V\' here stands the warder with his blazing sword. 

Behind me friends are weeping; ah ! how soon 

^'lie sorrovvdng dry their tears; though some still mourn. 

The loss deserves no thought; so worlds move on. 

As though some child had spoiled a worthless toy. 

In savage and morose asperity, 

The cosmic universe remains austere. 

Her v.dde dom.ains untrammelled through man's grief. 

Begirt with cincture tinged in heaven's bright rays, 

She wanders on a wondrous spectacle, 

A mother cruel to her foster-child, 

The orphan ward entrusted to her care, 

Heedless alike of human joy or woe. 



62 GO ^M I AD. 



23 AMID EARTH'S SMILES AND TEARS. 

The twilight of life's glimmer pale and faint, 
Augurs curtailment to nian's crescent hope. 
Death shooting through crevelles, himself unhurt, 
Forces the battle from veiled parapets. 
Mid crackling thorns the torch's flame ascends. 
Which burns the gossamer whereon life hangs. 
While crants still ornament the virgin grave. 
The laughing and the weeping mingle there. 
In accents deafening to ears thus shocked, 
With boisterous prattle. 
how yearns the heart 
For some sweet solitude, a lonely lodge. 
Within the pale of some vast wilderness. 
There hear we music of the vacant woods. 
Rustling of forest trees and screech of owls, 
Within the darkness of the night; and there 
The spirits walk abroad till daylight springs, 
To fill the sky along the east and fright 
The ghosts away. Among those sights and sounds 
Dwell mysteries of cumbered shade, in haunts 
So weired, that souls shall find life's solace there. 
Meanwhile throughout the habitable globe. 
The hum of business and the strife of words. 
Cease not to mar man's project to gain peace. 



THE END OF OUR JOURNEY 63 

24 EMANCIPATED SOULS. 

Flaming crantaras light the battle-field ; 

The drumbeat and the bugle call to arms ; 

While murder, bloodshed, plunder, rapine, theft. 

Arouse man^s bestial rage and stir his ire. 

Or stimulate his greed for wealth and gore. 

Our dearest hopes lie anchored in that land, 

Ten million leagues beyond the stormy coast, 

Where roll the cloud-born thunders through such skies, 

As mantle earth with shroud of mist and gloom. 

The souls once shackled with these corporal chains. 

Emancipated from these prison bounds, 

Shall rise as free as eagles and shall soar. 

From earth above the clouds and stars. 

To yonder realms of glory, light and joy. 

25 THE HOME EETUENING PRODIGAL. 

Upward from our captivity we'll fly. 
Unto our native aerie in the heavens. 
Amid the quiet scenes of rest and peace. 
Where watchful guards await our coming home. 
As pilgrims sojourning in foreign lands. 
Glad that our weary wanderings now cease. 
When Hebe shall her cup of nectar bring. 
By which immortal sages quench their thirst, 
With jaunty air the banquet we'll partake. 
With magic talisman upon our breast. 



64 COS M IAD. 



As wild caciques their feast of lotus eat, 
In halls of luxury midst royal bowers. 

26 BATTLING OF DEPEAYED SEIRITS. 

Vast armies come with haste in quick-step time. 
The hosts of evil march against the soul, 
With ranks close filed or wide apart deployed. 
They sortie from dark trenches with trailed arms ; 
With overwhelming force disperse our troops. 
While our weak power displays no skill to match 
Their stern puissant strength. A few they seize 
As captives ; but the rest they madly slay. 
The slaughter widens while the light goes on. 
See where the bleeding victims pile the plain. 
Slain by those lusts and passions which destroy, 
Ten thousand denizens all felled to eartli. 
By one sharp blow. 

27 TRIUMPHANT VALOFl 

On moral battlefields. 
The brave survivors who escape the thrusi: 
Of poison arrows soon renew the strife. 
Some of these heroes fall, but others live 
And march in triumph to celestial throne:^, 
Crowned with the martyr's wreath of victory. 
The mariner who sails to yonder shore. 
On seas of glory while they ebb and flow, 



THE DA UNTL ESS PL UNGE 65 



From neaptide to the springtide safely borne. 
Shall reach that haven and cast anchor there. 
Then grasp a sceptre in thy sovereign hand, 
And bind tiaras round thy royal brow, 
For thou art king. Yea soldier, sailor, saint. 
Or hero, martyr, slave, thou shalt be king. 

28 HESITATION AWAITING THE LAST SLEEP 

That sleep whose pillowed head lies on soft down. 
Awaits in deathlike silence and repose. 
To breathe the calm, sweet stillness of the night. 
Death say when shall we lie down asleep. 
Relieved from earth's anxieties and toils, 
Forgetful of life's needs, temptations, cares. 
In quiet rest beneath the moss-grown stone 
From sorrow, tears and pain forever free? 
Why falter we upon the awful brink 
Of life's deep precipice which witness gives, 
That one bold leap so soon shall end it all ? 
So vivid are the scenes, so loud the sounds, 
Which now we see and hear, that we perceive 
No glimmer and no echo from that world. 
Which hidden lies beyond the farthest reach 
Of mortal eye and ear. 

29 FEARLESS TRUST IN GOD. 
That far off land. 

Its caverns unexplored mid boundless spheres. 



66 C08MIAD. 



Its mountain wilds and fastnesses, of these 

Man knows as little as the child unborn. 

Where lies that country filled with dismal vales, 

Whose dense, grim shadows half conceal the forms, 

Which spirits wear, mantled in sombre clouds? 

How soon these feet must tread the misty cells. 

Of that dark prison-house where ghosts are chained. 

We know that not one ray of light or joy. 

From heaven^s bright sphere can penetrate the gloom 

Of helFs dim chambers, dreary haunt of groans. 

Child of imperious destiny, fear not 

To jump into this chasm, this void abyss, 

But launch thy galley on the troubled waves. 

And fix thine eye of faith on beacon lights, 

Which shine from yonder shore and lure thee there. 

Thy staunchest Friend stands at the helm to guide 

The ship through storm and breakers to that world, 

Where thine own Father waits with open arms. 

Eager to greet his home-returning son 

With welcome to the joys of His abode. 

Each weary, heavy laden pilgrim there 

Drops his last burden down. 

30 SHELTERED INNOCET^CE. 

How little do young maidens know of pains. 

And fears in that dark labyrinth untrod. 

Where they must grope through sorrow^s dismal cave ? 

Though some there are in infancy who sleep 



SA FE TV IN REFUGE 67 

Beneath a mother's watchfulness and care, 

Whose sheltered childhood feels the gentle touch 

Of sympathy in all their childish sorrows. 

Yet even these must suffer and must weep 

Beneath the burden of mortality. 

Too oft their sensitive and tender hearts 

Must grieve as bitterly o'er broken toys, 

As kings for their lost sceptres, this is sure, 

Although you buy a thousand pretty dolls, 

'Tis like the mother's babe, there's none so dear 

As she that's gone. 

31 IN DESPEKATION. 

We need not muse what pranks, 

Vindictive fortune plays among the youth 

In riper years. Their miseries swell so big. 

That many soothe their pains with anodynes. 

Some choose the refuge of the suicide; 

Sooner than bear life's burdens such as theirs, 

Man puts the dagger to his hopeless breast. 

And flees to sorrows that he knows not of. 

But learn ye rather to endure and suffer. 

With manly spirit bravely meet life's ills. 

Buffet such woes as wrestling heroes dare. 

Struggling against the stream toward yonder shore. 

Straining contentious sinews with stern zeal. 

Ye soon shall reach the land where olives grow. 

And palm trees spread their soothing, grateful shade. 



68 GOSMIAD. 



32 SAFE m TEMPESTUOUS GALES. 

In midnight gloom, while drifting o'er the waves, 

Your bark without a rudder ploughs the deep. 

Ye stand upon the deck amid the cries 

Of fellow passengers, all wild with fear. 

When heaven's pent thunder-cloud in anger bursts ; 

The storm_y wind in fury fiercely rends 

The yards of your frail craft which mounts on high, 

A plaything twirled on curling billows' crest. 

In av/e, and terror drenched with brine ye stand, 

A spectacle so pitiful to gods, — 

Commit your trust to Him who walked on waves 

Of Gallilee, who stilled the tempest's rage 

On lake Genesseret. He calms the sea; 

He brings the storm-tost sailer safe to port. 

Within the harbor of Immanuel's land. 

33 DESPAIEING MAN AWAITS HIS CHANGE. 

Hopeless and desperate man struggles on. 
Bereft of friends, of dignities despoiled. 
Till crushed to earth, cut off with quick dispatch. 
Drawn at the heels as swift as horse can flee, 
Victim of pitiless remorse and shame. 
To cruelty he yields his wretched life. 
The shadows which he tries to catch escape 
His grasp. He leaves the world with no regret, 
But few survivors briefly mourn his loss. 



MAN'S A DOR A TION OF HIS MAKER 69 

The envo}^ sent to disavow these ills. 
Speaks naught in malice or derisive scorn, 
To quell the murmurs of man's misery ; 
But pleads with suavity that he must bear 
The yoke which subjugates his selfish pride. 

31 THE CURE OF UNEE3T. 

The beggar's pallet rudely built of straw 
Yields comfort that most princes fain would share ; 
And could the king his diet taste with zest, 
Eelish the morsel which keen hunger craves, 
The monarch gladly would exchange his crown. 
"What burdens to King Charles were cares of state, 
Who for contentm.ent could resign his throne. 
How many princes would their empire give, 
Not like King Richard for a battle horse. 
But to secure one night of peaceful sleep, — 
That sleep which soothes hot passion's fevered brow. 
Kind altruist that binds up sorow's wound. 

35 PAEAXS TO THE CREATOR. 

Bright as the blazoned bezel of her rings, 
The golden satellites of Saturn speed, 
Through their diurnal circles far remote. 
From central pivot of the sun removed, 
Below like earth from sky or hell from he.nvoi?. 
Yea we might add like mortal man from God. 
All glorious Creator by whose hand 



70 COSMIAD 



The firmament outstretched stands nobly decked, 

With millions of bright orbs, how dost thou guard 

The smallest atom in Thy universe. 

Who shall restrain man from admiring love, 

When all these countless worlds, the hosts of heaven. 

The thousand generations of mankind. 

Obedient to the word of Thy command. 

Bow at Thy feet, and celebrate Thy praise ! 

36 CONTINUED PRAISES. 
At morning and at eve we hear their songs. 
And orisons which rise up to Thy throne. 
Perpetual anthems day and night they sing 
With sweet melodious voice, clear cadences 
Eesounding far through earth and boundless sky. 
While ages wing their speedy flight away, 
There's no cessation of their happy song. 

How plainly nature speaks to us of God ! 
Mountains and hills proclaim His sovereignty; 
Seasons and years display His wondrous skill ; 
The stars, those seers and prophets which foretell 
His future plans, reveal His august power. 
The blue arched vault above us in the height; 
The soft, green carpet which we tread beneath ; 
Alike remind us of Heaven's gifts to man. 

37 TRUSTFUL INNOCENCE OF CHILDHOOD. 

The infant rocking in his narrow crib, 
Or sweetly cradled in his mother's arms, 



THE STORM 71 



Heeds not the smitings of a ruthless world, 

Mid smiles and tears he knows no hopes nor fearS;, 

With cheek as fair as bosom of chaste love 

On wln'ch his head lies pillowed. And the youth 

Who sees the dewdrops sparkling in the sun. 

Like diamonds clustered in the jeweled broach, 

Rises to greet the cheerful god of day, 

While he ascends the east, recks not the change, 

Nor marks he in the flitting morn of life. 

Before the sun has reached meridian glow. 

How soon he will descend the western slr)% 

And sink beyond the ocean's utmost verge ; 

So swiftly shall the morning, noon and eve 

Of man's brief life speed by when he shall rest 

Within the glades in shadows of the night. 

38 THE STOEM. 

The wild winds playing heave a mournful sigh 
Whether they frolic with the trees or waves 
And pluck the topmost with a villain's hand 
Storms smite the bending pines and drive the ships 
With riven masts upon the shoal of rock 
While seamen cling unto the broken spars. 
I gazed into the clouds where war held sway. 
The fire of guns and their terrific roar 
Dazzled mine eyes and deafened my poor ears; 
Flash quick on flash its fellow followed fast. 
The welkin trembling with the echo's din. 



72 COSMIAD 



It was a scene to paralyze man's heart 

With fears whose tragic sequel threatens death, 

Such terror speeds from heaven's artillery. 

39 MAN'S TEOUBLES HAVE A PLACID END. 

Contrast this vicAv with earth's more peaceful scenes 
Where flocks of lambs graze on the quiet mead 
Or climb the gentle slope on yonder hill. 
Man hath such calms and storms as prodigal 
He shares with nature her most fitful mood 
His temper bent to match each phase and clime 
Like the chameleon changes every hour, 
Let come what will : the showers which overwhelm 
Teach men to bear the storms of troubled life. 
Haste, princely maiden to that shining shore 
Where streamlets gently flowing as of yore 
Stir in our hearts the dream of nuptial bliss, 
While from thy cheek I steal one honeyed kiss. 
Glad thus to seize the proffered pledge of love 
Which seals our vows with sanctions from above; 
I wait thy coming to the silent stream 
While fancy shifts the pictures of my dream. 



THE COSMIAD. 

SECOND DUAN. 

1 SOLILOQUY BY ALFEETTO, AX IMPEISOX 
ED LOUT. 

The east seems all aglow with lustrous flame, 
As though the earth had taken fire beneath, 
Those red hot rays which Phoebus showers down 
To kindle joy in his diurnal train. 
The blushing sun which peeps above the hills 
Gives promise of his cheery light today. 
Already hath the crowing cock called up, 
The drowsy ploughman to his daily toil; 
And man goes forth amidst the hum of bees 
Through fragrant fields. But woe, alas, to me 
The honey hath no sweetness and the flowers 
No blossomed beauty in this prison-house. 
I thought thee master, of a stouter mind. 
That would not yield to trifles. Play the man 
Speak not to me of trifles. Dost thou know 
How I was seized and dragged by cruel force. 
And shameful violence from that dear breast. 
Whose walls enclose within a noble heart? 
Ah, in this cell IVe passed a fearful night. 
Where bats and owls crowd all the crevices 
Of this dark room, and I beheld such sights. 
And heard such sounds, as make this torpid flesh ; 



74 COSMIAD 



Creep, like a serpent^s coil. This crazy loon 
I swear, then saw those ghostly visitants, 
Which hover round the tomhs in spectral forms, 
And visit graveyards by tlie gibbous moon. 
Come, sit with me upon this mouldy stone, 
While I rehearse my story for thine ear. 
Thrice in the dead of night, all dark and still, 
Awed by the gloom, the spectre stalked abroad. 
N"o leaf bestirred, no breath of air was felt. 
In that dread hour when darkness reigned supreme. 
My bones in every limb grew tremulous; 
Bristling with fright, the hair on crown and brow 
Turned grey then white like the hoar-frost of age. 
Dost thou dare interrogate these sprites? 
Then tell me by heaven's oracles adjured. 
What power resists encroachments of old age, 
Or blunts the edge of death's relentless scythe? 
Beneath the blight of heaven's dread curse I fell; 
So must I bear the bane of sore disease. 
And with this rueful malady must die. 

^ MOHAMMEDAN VEESUS CHEISTIAIsr. 

Caliphs of Cufa for the Saracens, 
Artful to win their Moslem proselytes, 
.Whose turbans, glowing in the morning sun, 
Show purple, richer than of Tyrian dye. 
As bright as orphil crimson; — these are they 
Who teach the cult of Allah. 



MAN'S VARYING MOODS 75 

They fought in cuerpo, armed with no cuirass. 
But with hot courage and their deadly blades 
With burning zeal defended; many a knight 
And brave crusader fell beneath the stroke, 
Of their keen falchions. In their zealotisra 
They slew the guardians of Christ's sepulchre. 
The crescent waved in triumph o'er the cross. 
The Alkoran withstood the Hebrew bible, 
The Turkish ataghan, the Christian sword. 

3 THE DREAMY MAZE. 

Above the mounds where sleep the heroes slain 

The mournful cypress casts her gloomy shade. 

The cruel corsair in his galley borne, 

Intrepid as the fierce Norwegian hound. 

As murderous as Bluebeard, haunts the sea 

To sate his gross cupidity for gore. 

Boundless in rapture with a pirate's joy. 

Prince of the Vikings, none the less severe. 

Whose retinue was countless as the stars. 

With dagger red and clotted in heart streams. 

Seized on his booty with a bloody hand. 

With magic flashes from Aladdin's lamp. 

We may catch glimpses of the robber's cave. 

Where Ali Baba hides his forty thieves. 

The giant-killer's slaughter strewed the earth 

With heavy burdens, meet for mammoth graves. 

Swifter than seven leagued boots can pace those hills. 



76 COSMIAD 



Where helpless mortals dwell in constant fright, 

Death comes n -galloping on pale white horse, 

To scatter wide these bones through charnel vaults. 

4 LIKE WATEE, UNSTABLE. 

Sad as the amaranth whose tears of blood, 

Flow down in streams from eye-lids wet by grief. 

And crimson earth's dark soil, man reasons, doubts. 

And disbelieves, denies and fears, repents. 

And straightway sins again; then overcome 

With sadness pines the remnant of his days. 

In penitence 'mid sorrow's darkest gloom ; 

Or else sequestered in some shady nook. 

Where vines entwine among the grove of trees, 

With tendrils clinging to their oaken boughs. 

He oft lies dreaming on some bank of ferns. 

And bids his seneschal prepare in haste 

The sumptuous feast in his baronial hall. 

5 ALL CONQUERING DEATH. 

Grim visaged death ! how like a monstrous fiend 
Grimalkin with a griffon's strength revolts 
Against the course of nature's confluence. 
Death comes as resolute and stern as war. 
As overwhelming as the pristine flood. 
Whose fierce defacle swept earth's rocks away 
From their deep anchorage in quarried caves; 
Rending the flinty spars in shattered casts. 



FATALISM 77 



Whose fragments crown the peaks of lofty hills. 
So death deals vigorous blows on human frames, 
Whereby they prostrate fall in serried ranks, 
To crowd ten thousand vaulted sepulchres. 
The death-watch ticks and lulls her brood to sleep, 
And presages with time's dull monotone. 
The dissolution of the earthly ties. 

G TRANSITORY PLEASURES. 

Upon the dial's mark; at just that hour, 

Know that the life eternal will begin. 

For when the gnomon casts its slender shade. 

It needs bold courage in our untrained youth 

To face the hazards of life's direful sea. 

All sensual joys awaken in man's mind 

Delusive hopes, which though they feign sweet smiles, 

They flatter only to destroy. Their life 

Though dear, is measured by a single day. 

In dreamlike shadows, ghostly forms pass by, 

Whose figures act the pleasures of an hour. 

In scenic grandeur on this world's great stage. 

In mien alive, but dead to human sense. 

It is man's folly to extol earth's toys. 

But sadly to decry Heaven's noblest gifts. 

7 DESTINY WITHOUT LAW. 

The laws which govern human destiny. 
Were never published on the printed page 



78 COS Ml AD 

Of wise Justinian^s pandects, or in codes 

Of sage Lycurgus, nor can they be revealed, 

By man's experience with empiric arts, 

Though he might even list to demonstrate, 

Skill and precision in bold auguries. 

In regions w^here the dusky shadows lurk, 

In haunts where wild mysterious fancies clothe 

The dells with visionary forms and sprites. 

The oracles of melancholy fate 

Proclaim disasters to life's pilgrimage. 

8 HOPE MORE JOYOUS THAN VvI^^E. 

These fancies acting as man's martinet. 

To discipline with rigor his self will. 

With incoherent reasonings and whims 

Guide, warn or threaten contumacious wards 

And teach refractory pupils fate's decree. 

The cell of storied cloisters might reveal 

To some disconsolate and fervid mind. 

The balm that heals and touch that soothes man's 

sorrow. 
The ancient Greek whose purple grape was pressed. 
In vintage of rich gardens and fair fields 
Of Argolis, consoled his aching heart, 
Witli copious draughts, fresh from their native vine. 
Or quenched his thirst, and cheered his downcast soul 
By drinking with fond relish Thesbian wine, 
Which flowed from urnlike, wide-mouthed amphoral. 



FA TALISM 



But Christians in despite of Pagan schemes, 
Find consolation in their depths of grief, 
By drinking in the buoyancy of hope, 
And thus exalt this base, ignoble world. 
Above earth's atmosphere, beyond the stars. 
To regions most remote, they know not where. 
And fashion spheres of joy and ecstacy, 
From realms of future and eternal peace. 

9 AMBITIOX CLIMBING FOE FAME. 

Young men in devious ways pursuing fame. 

Or sensuous pleasure, when they sometime vault 

Into the saddle of ambition, fall 

Unhorsed upon the hard earth's rocky groimd. 

Alas ! how difficult it is for man 

To reach the summit of Fame's steep ascent 

And scale the heights of glory ! Vainly strive 

A few choice spirits, climbing up the hill. 

With weak and trembling steps to gain the top. 

Until they tottering fall; some other men 

With firmer grasp, hand over hand advance. 

And on the ladder's rundle upward go; 

But one alone among that multitude 

By frequent shif tings to some higher plane. 

At length can touch the goal and glancing down. 

Smile on the struggling crowd below. 



80 COSMIAD 



10 THE CHAEM OF PLEASURE'S MINSTEELSY. 

The minstrels of gay pleasure sing their lays, 
Like sirens on life's dark enchanted isle. 
And throw their din of music to the winds. 
The nations all with trumpets to their ears. 
Hear this infernal and discordant song, 
From charms of their deceptive minstrelsy. 
There's no escape albeit the oarsmen pull 
For life away too soon to fall a prey. 
Within the vortex of the ebbing tide. 
So sweetly sound the pleasant rhapsodies. 
That millions of our gay, unwary youth. 
Enraptured with the charming melody. 
Fall victims to the luring song. They plan 
An Arctic voyage on life's stormy sea. 
Amidst the icebergs and the rocky reefs. 
And suffer shipwreck on the boreal coast. 

11 YOUTH'S IDOLATRY OF PLEASURE. 

In this vast temple of the universe. 

The niches are all filled with images, 

And hovering crowds of zealots worship these. 

With superstitious reverence and awe, 

The crouching multitude on bended knee 

Profess their loyalty to potent kings, 

Whose stupid fancy peoples crevices, 

And nooks of earth with sovereign deities. 



THE WORSHIP OF VENUS AND BACCHUS 81 

And shout : "These be thy gods, Man, bow down 
And worship and adore." And chief of these 
Dionysus and Aphrodite stand, 
To whom a host of men do sacrifice. 
Some on the bed of lust to Venus give, 
Their offerings and some to Bacchus pour 
Libations with their cups of sparkling wine. 

12 ILLUSIVE DREAMS OF JOY. 

'Twere better to discard all joys, we trow, 

Than to pursue these phantoms through the air, 

These shapes of ignes fatui that rise 

On summer nights from foul morass and graves. 

With better reason might one hope to win 

Ecstatic bliss by kissing pleasure's shadow, 

What equanimity of mind can grasp, 

That priceless gift of Stoical content. 

Which teaches man to bear the bleak, cold storm 

Of life's adversity with heart so stout. 

That he regards it equal in esteem, 

To cloudless sunshine of prosperity? 

13 AIMLESS PUESUIT OF CxAYETY. 

'Tis long ago, since I set out with pride. 
To travel through the circuit of the earth. 
With gay companions mounted on hot steeds. 
To view this scene of glory called the world. 
How like a dream of night the picture seems. 



82 COSMIAD 



Which calls to mind lifers jonrney o'er the plain, 
Through forest wild, on mountain side so grand, 
So beautiful, so stately and sublime. 
Man is endowed with faith and hope, two wings. 
Wherewith he flies toward heaven. Deprived of one 
His spirit droops and falls like some hurt bird. 
That wounded by a dart sinks to the ground. 
He struggles with ambitious, lofty aim, 
To reach the summit of earth's happiness. 
Learns to despise vain pleasure and gay sport. 
That fugitive and transient merriment. 
Which with the quickness of the lightning's flash 
Appears an instant and then vanishes. 
He chooses joys fixed as the smiling stars, 
Whose splendor lasts the same all ages through. 
Whose beauty fades not, but distils delight 
Forever. And the wisdom of the sage 
Combined with learning of philosophers. 
Distinguished between these disparates, 

U BALAXC^S OF JUDGMENT. 

The Pharisaic rule of Puritans, 

Whose austere rigor makes all pleasure sin. 

And laxity of faithless Saducees, 

With morals dissolute as chevaliers'. 

These statements of their principles professed. 

Stand wide apart from truth as pole from pole, 

'Tis argued by them both. The one avers; 



THE WORSHIP OF VENUS AND BACCHUS 88 

The Puritan is no ascetic monk. 
That lives in middle ages dark with gloom. 
The other tells what we are glad to learn, 
That they prize virtue as of priceless worth. 
Far more than pleasure, j^ea than purest gold. 
God only will discriminate and judge. 
Strong motives must to virtue's side entice. 
But weak inducements will abet to vice. 

15 DEGEADING VICE. 

How easy is it to persuade to lust ! 
Woman can tempt, as sure as wine degrades. 
A mind distempered with some grave disease 
May find its counterpart in that vile act. 
Which compromises reason as its king, 
Its guardian and guide. Some heads there are. 
So shallow as to play the simpleton. 
And say good morrow to the silent moon. 
Toss up their caps in merriment and glee. 
Yea kiss and ogle shadows of the owl. 
Such men are ruined by fair girls and wine. 
'Tis fancy's frantic, wild distemperature. 
And oh ! what folly and blind madness flow 
From drowning sorrovv^ in these cups of woe. 

16 ABSTINENCE AND CHASTITY. 

Is this the bliss of which the drunkard boasts. 
To drink the beverage that steals away 



84 COSMIAD 



All wholesome thought from man's disordered brain, 

And sends him reeling in the gutter's mud? 

In soberness and sense true manhood lives. 

In virgin purity of womanhood 

All virtues thrive, and so adorn the mind, 

That man may worship at the maiden's shrine. 

How loathsome to him is disgusting vice, 

Which wears a livery of saintly form; 

But mocks the garb with base hypocrisy. 

The wintry snows upon a thousand hills, 

Less cold and dreary seem than woman's face. 

Whose virtue's lost because of careless keeping. 

Then broken is the distaff which man's skill 

Can not in years repair. 

Then like a mandarin shorn of his cue. 

She stooping sits in deep disgrace and shame. 

And hides her wretched face within her hands, 

Until she's forced to seek a quick release. 

From life's despair so cruel, dark and sad, 

In desperate self-slaughter or else finds 

Asylum in the madhouse or the grave. 

No deeper draught of sadness fills the cup 

Of human sorrow in this world than flows. 

To lips that taste the lees of passions depth ; 

They drain the last drop of life's bitterness. 

17 COISTTENTMENT AFTER SORROW. 

Oh, what delight would be to man to taste. 
The joys of pure and holy love, could he 



TEMPERANCE AND CHASTITY 85 

Eelieve that longing which he often feels 

For quick enjoyment of the thing he loves, 

Which so transforms his dreamy sentiment. 

To bittersweet that his emotions change 

To loathing and disgust. But no man knows 

The pleasures of contentment till he feels 

The gentle touch of grief, and gains relief 

From some deep sorrow. Then he rests his head 

Upon the lap of ease and luxury; 

While Hebe bathes his temples, soothes his brow, 

With the sweet dews and balmy anod3Tie 

Of sleep. Could you but witness one sad scene, 

The wild distraction and the frantic tears 

Of children, who behold both parents seized. 

Bound and condemned to death and in cold blood 

Murdered, though innocent, would you complain 

Of your slight troubles or brief pains? 

Such deeds have happened and remain a blot. 

To stain the dark page of man's cruelty. 

The story of the world unfolds a score 

Of pictures dark and tragically grand, 

Of crafty and bold crimes done in the name 

Of liberty, whose mention chills the blood. 

And blanches man's pale cheek with frightfulness 

And horror. 

18 SYMPATHY WITH HUMAN SOEROW. 

Snatched away from life's fond ties. 
How vast a number of earth's denizens 



86 COSMIAD 



Have swept by swiftly with the endless train, 

Which passes hourly through the gate of death, 

On chariots of fire forever to enjoy 

Heaven's placid light, so tranquil and serene. 

How yearns the human soul in sympathy 

With man's deep sorrows ! ■- How he longs to bind 

The gaping w^ound with balm and minister 

With tender hand to bleeding hearts, and soothe 

Their painful throbs with touch that heals their aching ! 

One plays a role so insignificant 

In this historic drama of man's life, 

That single-handed and alone he feels 

The vigor of his best endeavors lost. 

In vain attempts to rectify his wrongs. 

19 BALM FOIJ DISTIJSSS. 

When tears of grief come dropping one by one. 

When the rough tide swells and brings the flood, 

Sighs heave the breast, the heart asunder bursts. 

Then patience suffers from assault that kills, 

Then weary heads bow down beneath the weight 

Of boundless want and woe. 

A cry of deep distress ascends to heaven. 

From helpless man who feels oppressed and grieved 

By burdensome constraints and ills v/hich bind. 

His spirits down to earth's ignoble dust. 

could he soar to heaven's exalted sphere. 

And bury his remembrance of these plaints. 



TEMPERANCE AND CHASTITY 



In some deep chasm where dark oblivion 
Holds in her grasp all sad, suspicions fears. 
Entrusted to her keeping, he would gain 
Care's plastic balm that can lost health restore, 
All ailments heal, and bleeding wounds repair. 
Life's pains and griefs assuage. 

20 MAX'S CEY APPEALS TO HEAYEX. 

The Alpine clilf, 

Though covered with the clouded canopy. 

Or shrouded with the mist, towers not too high 

To stretch be3^ond the reach of that wild scream. 

Which like the cry of eagles rises up. 

From these deep vales of human misery, 

But even there we can still hear that wail. 

So loud and shrill that its sad plaintive note 

Fills earth and sky. 

The ashes stored in sacred urn, the dust 

Eeposited in mausoleums tell 

The story of decay. The documents 

Piecorded on the walls of mouldy tombs, 

And stately pyramids still mark the spot. 

Where elegies were read in earth's past days, 

And dirges sung above the graves of kings, 

And heroes in that early age while time 

Was young, full sixty centuries ago. 



COSMIAD 



21 NO TRACE OF FLESH IS LEFT. 

The victims of pestilence and war, 

Wherever they lie buried, testify 

That life seeks many a way to find escape. 

From this frail tenement of dust and clay. 

Beneath the ground or on the ocean's bed, 

These human forms lie scattered, wide and far. 

In musty volumes of time's ancient lore, 

We now discover nothing worth our search. 

No record of their tears, no register of ills. 

Which they once bore in common with their race. 

Since early as the earth's primeval germs. 

From which all nature sprung, that worm called death 

Hath fed upon the damask cheek, transformed 

Its rosy hue into black rottenness 

And sombre dust. 

22 PEIMEYAL DEPOSITS. 

Delve down through old eartli's crnst. 

To rocks where lie the petrified remains 

Of forms gigantic as the mastodon, 

Lo, these bear witness how triumphant death. 

Dealt prehistoric discipline to brutes 

Millions of ages antedating man. 

The mute beast though he shed no tears, yet groaned 

And writhed with pain that tortured his crushed limbs, 

And wrung from his unwilling lips the cry, 

Which spoke excruciating agony. 



DE VAST A TIONS OF PRIME VAL EAR TH 89 



Save the bare hint that life holds pleasure's chance. 
The rocks record no syllable of joy. 
No sooner had creation dawned on earth, 
Than Gama raised his bold, majestic frame. 
Above the breathing world inspiring awe. 
And bearing in his strong right hand a club. 
He smote the victims of his potent ire, 
With spiteful, cruel and relentless rage. 

23 PEEIODS OF DECAYING LIFE. 

Once it was flood or fire which heaped the slain; 
Again their weak, worn heart soon ceased to beat, 
As wanting that quick spirit which inflamed 
Their youth; disease and age cut short their life. 
Then packed away in caskets fast entombed. 
In solid rock, bleached bones or mummied flesh. 
Lay resting in eternal sepulture. 
Those generations past how quickly sped ! 
Ages swept by swift as the rolling spheres. 
Time borrowed hours from everlasting days, 
Years came and went, lost to our reckoning. 

24 AFTER DESTEUCTION COMES MAN'S 

CREATION. 

When man came striding on this cosmic stage, 
He found his predecessors lulled to sleep, 
A new-born race in solemn tragedy 
Trod on the graves of their ancestral line. 



90 COSMIAD 



With hopes and prospects blighted in the bud, 

He waited with brave heart to act his part, 

In this great theatre of tragic life. 

His soul, divenely taught, born from the breath 

Of Deity, aspired to grasp the lofty theme; 

But travestied the spirit of the hour. 

While chaos reigned dark Night stooped coldly down. 

From ebon throne to spread her sable wings 

Around this formless world, within whose void, 

Eough matter lay in wild disorder strewn. 

And God in mist and darkness shrouded, spoke, 

25 CREATION OF WORLDS AND SPIRITS. 

Then instantly from Nature's womb there sprang. 

Ten thousand worlds which filled the heavenly space 

With brilliant orbs, whose dazzling light clothed earth, 

In robes of royal splendor. 

God said: "Assemble ye supernal powers,'^ 

When in a single instant heavenly hosts. 

With countless millions of angelic bands. 

Had traversed through the universal bounds. 

And compassed those wide realms of spacious heaven. 

Impersonating swift-winged messengers. 

They told the message which was all Divine, 

Then swifter than a flash of light, they came 

With banners waving, ensigns high unfurled. 

To stand before the presence of earth's King, 

And listen to that voice which awes the world. 



THE BLIGHTED EARTH 91 

26 MAN'S CATASTROPHE, THE FALL. 
The history of man since Adam's fall 

Hath stained the page with blots of tears and blood. 

Since Eve's temptation and man's fatal sin, 

Sorrow and death have been the destined score, 

Which filled the record of his diary. 

Bathed in the sweat of Adam's curse, 

Long hath he borne the burdens of earth's toil, 

And tasted bitter food doled to mean slaves. 

And while he fed on wormwood, thorns, and gall. 

He quenched his thirst in streams from poison springs. 

And quaffed his drink from cups full brimmed with woe. 

Entangled in the mazes of this wild. 

How quickly lost is he in life's dark woods. 

Where every bush, and shrub, and forest tree 

Conceals his visage in that sunlit cloud, 

Which wraps his face in veil of mystery. 

27 HEAVEN'S CURSE IS FELT. 

Upon this smitten world grim shadows fall; 
Storms gather round the earth, on shore and sea; 
And tempests lower along each mountain crest, 
While gloomy darkness spreads above the hills, 
And covers with deep shade the fields and sky. 
Behold the gathered throngs which come from far. 
To hear the tramp of armies drawing near. 
How can ye bide the thraldom of their chains. 
And how resist the capture which they bring? 



COSMIAD. 



The mounting of that flood shall sweep the land; 
The whelming of that tide drown all the race. 
Swift speeds the time for spectral liaisons, 
When ghosts flit by and apparations rise; 
While spirits of the air stalk through the groves 
To offer sacrifice on ancient tombs. 

28 MEMEiSTTO MORI. 

When light grows dim in these extinguished eyes, 

The shutters close the windows of this house, 

And darkness broods where beauty once held sway. 

The soul imprisoned in this clod of clay. 

Emancipated flies to rest in space. 

Where beams still shine with radiance all Divine. 

Within that darkened chamber quite alone. 

His pampered body sleeps in earth^s decay. 

Hampered with clods which crowd his narrow bed, 

Sad spectacle for human pride to view. 

Soon comes the hour for stillness when one fears 

To stir the shutter in his silent room. 

Lest he awake the sleeper from his dreams 

Of blest elysium. 

29 SPIEITS ABOVE AND HOVERING AROUND. 
Man's counterpart 

In spirituelle hovers round this sphere. 
Crowding earth's caverns with light, dusky forms. 
Whose silver wings outspread in graceful flight, 



CALAMITY MAN'S EARTHL Y LOT 93 

Bear bodies of thin shade across the deep, 

To vales and dells and woodland solitudes, 

Which stay forefended and enshrined in shrouds 

Of twilight's deep obscurity and gloom. 

How sullen seems the day when thievish clouds, 

Have robbed the sun of glory and have strewn 

The pathway of his beams with vapor shades. 

That strayed from dismal night ; The world how darkj 

When tints of pale and ashen grey conceal 

The azure sky, the fleece of snow-flakes lines. 

The broad expanse of air while veils enshroud 

The lofty vault of heaven. How dreary looks 

This earth when fall the sere, frostbitten leaves. 

When bleak winds howl among the nutbrown hills. 

But worse than cloudy day or stormy night. 

More gloomy than the icy atmosphere. 

The frozen land or the tempestuous sea, 

Is that poor human heart that feels so sad. 

Amidst these doleful scenes where man must bend 

In sorrow under griefs which oft bedew 

His eyes and swell the fountain of his tears. 

30 A BEACON STANDS OX THE SHOEE. 

Bards live forever in immortal verse. 

When worlds grow old, the hoary locks 

Of Time in dappled grey float through the mist. 

Which ages spread above the storms of earth; 

But famous words survive the shattered wreck" 



94 COSMIAD 



Of sublunary spheres. 

While Time's rude billows crowned with crested waves, 

Roll back their burdens on the banks and shoals, 

From life's tempestuous sea; upon the shore 

Still shines the beacon light which circles round, 

On that revolving shaft in yonder tower. 

How many goodly keels that plough the main, 

Plunge wreathed in foaming garlands through the sea. 

31 MAN IS CEEATION'S CROWN. 

Inconstant man now fixed like central sun. 
Then changeful as the waxing, waning moon, 
Shifting as springtime or the fickle wind. 
Else moodful like the ebbing, flowing tide. 
Which in its motion chases both those orbs. 
The king of day and queen of murky night. 
Mankind stands honored as creation's crown, 
Adam and Eve are God's chief handiwork. 
His last and topmost gift which He bestows 
Upon this lustrous world; no other work. 
E'er challenges comparison with His, 
Endowed with chivalry and valor, man 
Displays his prudence by wise self-control. 

32 WOMAN ADORNS THE WORLD. 

Chaste modesty and virtue woman claims, 
Two precious jewels which she nobly guards, 
With ever vigilant and jealous care. 



REASON, FAITH AND LOVE 95 

These gems she wears upon a snow-white breast, 
To ornament the beauty of her form, 
To teach her children how queen mothers sway. 
And through Wke office, win her husband's love. 
Since Adam's grave catastrophe, the fall. 
Throughout the world wherever man may tread. 
Some ignis fatuus oft leads him on; 
He still pursues some phantom of the mind, 
Or vainly threads the devious pathway through 
Those wilds which lead to darker forest depths, 
Where weary pilgrims stumble blindly on, 
And lose their way bereft of friendly guide. 

33 MAN ENDOWED WITH EEASON, FAITH 
AND LOVE. 

Soul, spirit, life, which animate this clay, 
Form that distinctive feature which enrols 
The human creature in the rank of gods, 
And on Divine escutcheons stamps his seal, 
Those rare endowments, reason, faith and love. 
The richest brilliants in man's tripple crown 
Sparkle like lustrous diadems of kings. 
By reason we discover noble form. 
And beauteous order in God's universe; 
By faith we trace religion's holy path, 
And reach heaven's throne by climbing steps 
Upon the ladder of Christ's boundless love. 



96 COSMIAD 



34 THE PEODUCTIVE EARTH. 

Look how the fruitful earth with affluent ease 
Brings forth in swarms, from her parturient womb, 
These countless myriads of infant sons. 
That with deep mouths like EacheFs tender babes, 
Suck nutriment from bosoms round and full. 
This nurse is ours; and from her pregnant dust 
Mankind was born; plant, shrub, and stately tree 
Grow from her fertile soil; jfish, bird, and beast 
Feed on the products which she kindly yields. 
To love's embraces, and soft dalliance. 
With that warm kiss which on her cheek is pressed 
By her bold lusty paramour, the sun. 

35 EAETffS BEIAES, THOENS AND POTSOX. 

tell us why it is that thou fair Earth, 

The mother of us all, supplying food, 

Must mingle gall and wormwood with our drink ? 

Why should breast-nipples from whose fountains flow 

These copious streams of honey, milk and cream 

Pour forth the hidden poison which must kill 

The child t]iat greets thee with his filial love? 

And why amidst the roses dost thou plant 

The briar and thorn to tear thy children's flesh, 

And cause them agony? horrid Sin, 

This is the baneful curse which thou hast wrought. 

'Tis thou that dost with melting dews distil 



THE SHIFTING SCENES OF LIFE 97 



The pestilent miasmas which arise 
From fields and meadows, boggy fens and moors. 
Breathing foul vapor's of salacious cots, 
Dost thou hold converse with the pale, sick moon, 
And challenge shadows in thy colloquy? 
Then shift thy title with a cockscomb's fool. 
For thou art daft and mightst array thyself, 
In poor Tom's manacles. 

36 YOUTH COMES TO AGE AND TO DEATIT. 

Youths sport in boyhood and indulge frisk moods. 
Like prancing colts curvetting as they chase 
Through verdant pastures wet with glistening dew. 
A scintillation plucked from Heavenly fire. 
Lights up this human clod of mortal clay. 
Sparkles in this bright age and trickles through 
The blood; till all too soon life's flame is quenched. 
The lamp grows dark in chambers of his soul. 
Deposits sacredly embalmed with care. 
Seek rest from toil within earth's hallowed urn. 
Then snugly wrapped the dust returns to dust, 
Man's spirit, back to greet his Maker, flies. 
And were it not for hidden hands revealed. 
Which minister invisibly to souls 
Darkened through dire distress and agony. 
Our luckless lot would glean no hope to stem 
The torrent's flood when storms of trial lower. 



98 COSMIAD 



37 THE LAST DISMISSAL. 

Bold tars that sail upon the restless main, 
Soldiers who fight where bullets thickly fly, 
All yield obedience to fate's decree, 
And fall beneath the stroke which cuts men down. 
that the everlasting hills might hold 
These forms empaled in some vast solitude. 
Where we for ages must defy tlie storm. 
As firm and strong as snow-clad mountains stand, 
Long waiting with supernal silence crowned. 
The soul lies bound within these dimgeon-chains ; 
While death releasing sets the prisoner free; 
He grants a furlough to each wounded brave, 
Bids him go home to greet his wife and babes. 
That on their cheek and forehead he may press. 
The tokens of his love ; this king bestows 
On captured convicts pardon or reprieve. 

38 THE TRAGEDY E^DS. 
While death, akin to sleep, his own twin-brother, 
Stops short the beating heart, and soothes the brain, 
He wraps the corse with cerements cold and stark, 
Seals close these lids, these curtains of our eyes. 
And opens wide that world invisible, 

On this world's stage. Time acts his tragedy. 
Ten million figures enter on the scene. 
Which come and go obedient to his will. 
That do his bidding, then pass through the door. 



DEA TH'S DARTS ARE MANIFOLD 99 

And disappear, their forms are seen no more ; 
The voice that spoke before so loud is hushed, 
Then silence reigns supreme for one full hour, 
Until the actors in the tragic play 
Present their formal bow upon life's stage. 
When each in turn drops out, the curtain falls. 
The joy of day descends to gloomy night. 

39 THE VARIED GATEWAYS OF DEPAETURE. 

Some through the fever's burning blaze conduct 

Their exit while the brain doth suffer most 

From heat of wild delirium. Some die 

By lightning's stroke, by whirlwind's reckless rage. 

In anarchy of untamed elements, 

By shock of earthquake licensed to destroy. 

Or buried like Atlantis deep at sea. 

Engulfed in Xeptune's ovenvhelming flood, 

Man sinks to rest beneath old ocean's tide. 

Clothed in habiliments of sombre hue 

Proud Destiny strides forth o'er nature's field. 

To view the realm of Death's vast monarchy. 

Where clashing sabres, bright as lightning's flash. 

Throw ofl' their sparks of steel. 

40 DEATH LACKS NO RESOURCE. 

Fate stalks abroad, 

Through earthly courts with martial pace to gaze 

In wonder at this bloody spectacle ; 



^■^'i'^. 



100 CO SMI AD 



Or mounted on his charger spurs his steed. 

That he may witness how the sons of Mars 

Heap sacrificial offerings on the shrine, 

To that dread god of war who treasures blood, 

A precious relic, rare in costly worth, 

For his rich armory. 

Beneath the crumbling walls of palacos, 

Where newts and lizards crawl and serpents hisa. 

In ancient Thebes, Hyperion gazing stood, 

Questing mysterious signs in azure sky, 

While croaking ravens harried all the plain, 

Those hundred gates, at Memnon's high command 

Fly open wide struck by magician's wand. 

41 EVEEY LAND FURNISHED FOR 
SEPULTURE. 

The pomp and pageantry of Mizraim, 
Float down the turbid waters of the Nile, 
Where Cleopatra captured Antony, 
In Egypt's royal bowers ; her monstrous Sphinx 
Surveys Sahara's arid plain with pride, 
Majestic Ghizeh towers to reach the sky, 
That spacious urn for sacred dust of kings. 
Where urodela crawl o'er Pharaoh's bones, 
In whose sarcophagi the mummies rest. 
These splendid mausoleums, ancient, grand 
Imperishable monuments, portents 



EGYPTS PYRAMIDS AND TEMPLES 101 

Of empire's swift decay hold dynasties 
Of Eamases and Ptolemy embalmed, 
Within their charnel vault, sepulchral home. 

42 EGYPT HAS MONUMENTAL SEPULCIIEES. 

Thou childless Mother of lost ancient arts, 

Whose widowed Fame looks down from towering heights 

Of lofty pyramids where millions sleep. 

In silence craving shelter at their base, 

"Sweep with thy besom time's grand works away. 

Fling to the wind thy fears," Serapis said, 

"Though, woman born go forth stout-hearted swain, 

Await thy doom amidst the weired dun wilds. 

Where fiends plot mischief paltering with thy trust. 

With frauds deceiving when thy sense is palled." 

There Imhotep for science famed commends 

The worship of bright Isis or pale Khuns, 

43 HOAEY EGYPT RENOWNED FOE KINGS. 

The queen Candace there at ease reclines. 

On soft divans in lofty palaces. 

Where Dido's city Carthage rears her towers. 

Upon the banks of Egypt's placid Nile, 

She rides majestic borne in palanquin. 

By servile eunuchs of black Ethiop's race. 

Amid the crowds whose humming voices thrill, 

As the wild croak of woodland loons in fright. 

Casts dread through dank and dismal realms of night. 



3 02 CO SMI AD 



Gaze toward the heavens and watch that southern star, 
Where shines Acherner in Eridanus, 
Who would not love a country such as this, 
Where beauty dwells and glory decks the sky, 
When patriots slay tyrants, they bequeath 
Fortunes to freedom, to their land, their swords. 

44 DEVOTION IN HER TEMPLES. 

The chaplet which adorns the hero's brow, 
Inspires the world with envy of his fame. 
He never suffered drum to call retreat. 
But oft horns sounded parley or chamade. 
The turgid breast which swells with native pride. 
When sons return with war's victorious spoils. 
Stints not to speak the praise which valor earns. 
While songs of gratitude ascend to heaven. 
To Heaven our earliest orisons are due. 
Our latest and our best devotions rise. 
Within the sacred temple of the heart, — 
More holy than the shrine where Janus reigns. 
Or Odin claims the homage of man's soul, 
On monumental mounds of earth and stone. 

45 MONKS CLOISTERED IN CELLS. 

The Abelite in sunny Afric's clime. 
With vows austere dwelt in his hermitage ; 
Recluse from all indulgence he pursued 
Ascetic meditations; while he sighed 



EGYPT'S PYRAMIDS AND TEMPLES 103 

In lonel}^ solitude. The imps of hell 
Could never lure him through those crooked snares, 
Which Satan spreads to catch our wayward feet. 
Though cowls of monks and stoutest convent walls 
Serve not to check the ingress of base thoughts, 
Nor thwart the darkest deeds of inborn sin, 
Which ferret underneath the pillared domes 
Of clustered spires and arch of cloistered cells. 
Oft times these serve to shut the devil in. 
The tempter boldly plies his secret arts, 
Within dark chambers, in the halls of kings. 

46 THE OUTCAST AXD PILGEIM. 

The wretched and the outcast, struggling on. 

Still valiant fighting with dread want and woe. 

Confronts a foeman worth his costly steel. 

In lonely wilds near borders of the deep. 

When in dark caverns by the angry flood, 

Wild as the Algerine or blackamoor. 

He battles for life's meed, for sorrow's balm; 

While pangs of hunger gnawing at the heart. 

Are slowly wearing his weak life away. 

Soft beams of starlight scatter rays of joy 

Along the pilgrim's path in solitude. 

Though justly he had earned earth's fame he shrinks 

To own the merit he had deftly won; 

Too modest to endure life's blaze of glory. 

Which sorely pained and dazzled his blear eyes. 



104 COSMIAD 



47 SEKVANTS SENSITIVE TO SUFFERING. 

The most abject, the lowliest of mankind, 
Can feel the smart from cruel injury, 
As keenly as the lord who fain inscribes. 
Armorial ensigns in baronial halls. 
On proud escutcheons or Escurial thrones. 
Can drugs empirical release his pain. 
Who suffers agony from crushing straits ? 
In vain we strive to comfort and relieve, 
With cups of charneco, the slaves oppressed. 

48 TO THE CHILD OF MISFORTUNE. 

Toil on, brave Soul, till eve shall bring thee rest. 

Endure the martyr's thorn which wins thy crown, 

Toil on, the day is sinking toward the West, 

Thy task is almost done, the sun goes down. 

Hope speaks good cheer; though weary, worn and faint, 

Speed to thy home, night's mantle soon will fall, 

Hard struggle with the world equips the saint, 

Sleep seals thine eyes, while craving death's dark pall. 

49 FREEDOM FROM CARE AND SORROW. 
In boyhood ere the cares and sorrows come. 

The youth disports himself with play and toys. 

As happy as the blue-bird or the lark. 

That chirrups through the day on hawthorn bush, 

That soars a licensed libertine in song. 

Born wild and free and twitters on the bough. 



CHANGES AND DEC A Y 105 

The maid unsheltered from the boisterous wind, 
Who airs her beauty 'neath the silent moon, 
Outwatches heaven^s bright orbs in duty's sphere. 
Protected by night's spangled canopy. 
The matron praying o'er her nursling babe. 
Begs her patronal saint for kindly care, 
Imprints her kiss upon that infant's brow, 
Then falls asleep within the land of dreams. 

50 DEEARY LIFE OF MISFORTUNE. 

Bereft of fame and fortune in despair. 
Like ancient Job who lives in Holy Writ, 
How many a luckless wight toils on through life. 
And finds no ease this side the gates of death. 
Until he lays his earthly burdens down. 
To sleep, poor soul, in silence and the grave. 
These grovel through the darkness of the night; 
For such the day drags gloomily along. 
Life spreads a wintry scene where cold winds blow 
And icy mantles hide the nut-brown hills; 
The grey and sombre sky o'erhangs the earth. 
The trees stand bare, and no green leaf appears, 
No bird to cheer man with a song of spring. 
There's not a flower, nor tender blade of grass. 
Where nature's verdure withers, nipped with frost. 
In life's great battle who foretells our fate? 
Early or late the stoutest heart must quail. 
The field is bloody; many wounded, slain. 



106 COSMIAD 



Lie in deep trenches; still the missiles %; 

Brave men drop down ; when night shuts in the scene 

The volleys cease; the air grows still as death. 

51 CHANGES AND DECAY WEOUGHT 

BY TIME. 

The ancient goddess long ago dethroned, 

Shattered to dust by time's iconoclast, 

Eoyal Minerva never more shall reign; 

Her bust was dashed to earth like mouldered clay. 

The wreath of leaves which crowned her brow is lost. 

True emblem of this perishable world. 

Many patronal arts died with their queen, 

Whose moral teaches this suggested thought. 

That it is man's sure destiny to die. 

Swift as the flight of thoughts the moments glide, 

While dials mark their speed, count and record 

Their number by the ticking of the clock, 

Man's life they measure by the beating pulse, 

Each throb comes nearer to the last, until 

The heart grows weary yearning for its rest, 

Pauses awhile, then flutters and is still. 

Then round his bier, the teardrops sadly fall. 

Above him spreads the black and mournful pall; 

The solemn dirge is sung beside his grave, 

'Neath whose dark portal he is gently laid. 

Sculptured on monumental sepulchres, 

?^[an stooping with infirmity of years. 



AMBITION VERSUS MODESTY lO- 

Holds his rude cane and stands in effigy, 

Stiff as the knee-joints of the aged oak, 

Which gnarled and knotted crowns von ancient hill, 

While he defies the power of wintry winds. 

52 AMBTTIO^T VERSUS MODESTY. 

The longest pilgrimage on earth employed. 

In deep researches after hidden truth. 

Affords no fit occasion to learn all. 

Treasures of wisdom which man ought to seek. 

Lie buried in the depths he cannot find ; 

And after his first lessons on life's page. 

He leaves school ere its rudiments are learned. 

Though long enough to find out other's faults, 

He seldom lives till time to know his own. 

To poise a stupid braggart with a fool. 

And weigh the difference of worth, requires 

A finer balance than the druggist's scales. 

'Tis true that in the heraldry of fools, 

'Tis higher honor to be called a dolt, 

Than with the king's sword to be dubbed a knight, 

Yea, even of the order of the garter. 

No leaden plummet can sink far enough 

To fathom man's deep ignorance and pride, 

V/hile sages fond of knowledge dare not boast. 

The fools by knowing everything seem fools. 

Striving, Man, to reach the topmost round 

Of glory's ladder leaning on the sky. 



108 COS MI AD 



Fling to the winds ambition to appear 

Greater or wiser than the deed approves. 

The mettle of the simpleton is tried, 

His knighthood tested and his laurels won, 

By fighting with a hornet's nest awhile, 

After contending with a swarm of bees. 

Humanity denies that man is faultless; 

Ample is proof that he is nothing worth, 

If not censorious : it goes without 

Our saying that he needs must fail in life. 

Should he neglect through pomp and circumstance 

To place a modest value on himself. 

The minimum of self-esteem and love. 

Invulnerable to shafts of criticism. 

Will save him many a shock and many a tear. 

It blunts the edge of satire and of wit, 

To dub each idle boaster a dumb ass; 

But truth must out e'en at the risk of life. 

Too tame, humiliating, spiritless, 

Is it? It is the balm which heals each wound, 

That envy makes in every human heart. 

When fires of jealousy most briskly burn. 

This balsam, modesty, has power to cure 

Heart-burnings when inflicted by man's scorn. 

By ridicule and overweening pride. 

But when the bugle summons one to arms 

Against a valiant though a mortal foe. 



AN OASIS IN THE DESERT 109 



'Tis brave to lay his meekness far aside, 
And bristle with heroic show of spears. 

53 AN OASIS liSr THE DESERT OF LIFE'S 
PILGRIMAGE. 

Pavilions stand midst cedars of the grove, 

Where one can strew his litter with coarse straw. 

And sleep as soimdly on his bed of thatch. 

As any prince on couch of ivory. 

In splendid hall, or palace of a king. 

Fair nature's bounty with rich largess fills. 

The cup from which lean poverty may drain. 

The draught with keener zest than wealth bestows. 

Within some idle wild one may beguile an hour. 

With loitering footsteps through meandering path. 

With noiseless tread beneath the spreading oaks. 

And saunter to some spot of grateful shade, 

Where sylphs recline upon the mossy bank 

Of that cool stream which gurgling flows along. 

O'er bed of pebbles towards the deep-delved bay. 

The book lies open to his wondering eyes. 

That he may read the pages of grey lore 

Inscribed with magic pen on fossil rocks. 

Or sculptured in bold outline on the hills. 

Or else in figures clear and legible. 

Portrayed and drawn with artist's skill in flowers. 

Or delicately pencilled in green leaves. 



110 CO SMI AD 



54 GOD WILL TEAXSFOEM. 

He that can still the tempest with His word, 
Who used to call forth worlds with vocal breath, 
To stretch the bow which spans the sunlit cloud, 
With radiant tints ; He that can smite the earth 
With a magician's wand, — He will transform 
Deformity to beauty and disease 
To health ; and this same mighty Talisman 
Will smooth the rough and rugged path of toil, 
Along the confines of life's pilgrimage. 

55 MA^'S TERRESTEIAL MOiSrAECHY 

ABEIDGED. 

This goodly world with earth's vast wealth is ours 
Ours are its grassy hills and sunlit skies, 
And ours at night the star-bespangled heavens. 
As o'er his realm each potentate presides, 
Man sways his sceptre with a royal grace, 
He strides the waves upon the flood of glory, 
And wears his crown in fashion of a kinar. 
While this proud sovereign rules in equity. 
And loyal nations own allegiance due. 
What power shall hurl man from life's citadel. 
What law depose him from his rightful throne? 
None but the world's prince, that dread conqueror, 
Y/hose name is Death. This incubus with fright 
Conspires to add fell terror to the night. 



THE UPWARD FLIGHT OF SOULS ill 



With quivers of barbed arrows crowded full, 
And shoulders bared on hostile raid intent. 
He gropes like blear-eyed Melancholy's ghost, 
Beneath the arches of this pillared dome. 

56 THE FLIGHT OF SOULS TOWAED HEAVEN. 

Of that dark stream once traversed by each soul. 

Which comes not back again, what spirit lives, 

That can inspire the courage or supply 

The strength to ford the river we call death? 

could these mortal eyes with clouded sight. 

Behold the vision of ascending souls. 

When they expand their wings for upward flight. 

Borne on the cloud of angel companies, 

Through heaven's ethereal realms beyond the stars. 

We'd feel no doubt the rapture of delight. 

In view of august scenes in heights sublime ; 

After all this how small these worlds appear; 

And earthly sorrows dwindle into nought, 

Or insignificant and petty mites. 



THIRD DUAN 

1 HYPOCRISY I^ SHADES OF DOUBT 
x\ND FEAR. 

The man who fosters an ambitious pride 

In this world's pantomine to play a part, 

In double character of saint and knave, 

And to amuse spectators who applaud 

The skill of his impersonation's art, 

Will tremble when he meets the angry frown 

Of that imperious Judge, whose scrutiny 

Sinks deeper than the outward act, and weighs 

The motives of his heart. droughty earth. 

Wilt thou permit thy sons to wet thy fields. 

And fertilize thy soil with drowning tears? 

These drops of dew so plentifully flow, 

That no drosometer can sound their depth. 

Or compass half the measure of their flood. 

There is a Spirit that can tame the sea. 

And chain his billows to the rockbound shore. 

Subdue the wind and fetter earth's wild storms. 

'Tis He that rides upon the vaulted sky. 

In chariot of clouds when He descends, 

With beams of brilliant light to lend His smile 

To this fair world. 

Robed in the shades of heaven's refulgent light, 

Man's spirit 'scapes to yonder drear abode. 



CHURCH DEFECTION 113 

Within whose closure fallen angels dwell, 
With Satan as their master and their king. 
In bold defiance of His royal power. 
Who holds them spellbound in helFs awful cage; 
Or else escorted on the wind-swept cloud. 
He wings his flight to regions far beyond 
The circle of Orion's belt to reach, 
Celestial Portals, mansions of the blest. 
Which like the gates of morning ope to greet 
The cheerful light of heaven's eternal day. 

2 CHURCH DEFECTION, THE MOST FATAL 

FALL. 

The wretch who spends his life in hungry want, 

And abject penury may win that prize, 

Which Dives in his greed for sordid gain 

Will fail to grasp. 

When the cold wind of winter shifts around. 

Untimely cheating seasons in their prime. 

Chilling the dews of spring to biting frost. 

That nips the buds and blossoms on the downs, 

And strips both shrub and tree quite bare of leaves. 

'Tis sad to see the desolation spread. 

O'er nature's face which turns as pale as death. 

When angels from the heights of glory fall 

Down, down, still down until they reach, 

The bottomless abyss and there remain. 

Forever far beyond the bounds of hope, 



114 COSMIAD 



As when bright constellations fade away, 
From heaven's starry host — this seems but nought, 
Beside that sad dark scene when we behold 
The bride of Christ, a spotless virgin, pure 
As chaste, unsullied, wliite as lilies look. 
Kissed by clear waters in the sparkling brooks, 
Defiled, to virtue lost, and false to Heaven. 

3 THE SEDUCEE'S SIN. 

Then sorrow melts the world to grievous tears, 

Galore of pity bursts the timid heart; 

Then wild goes up from earth the wailing cry; 

That meteor flashed above and rent the air. 

But sank beneath the darkness of the night. 

How vile the wretch who plans a maiden's fall. 

Villain accursed v/ho paints her cheek with shame. 

With lust the debauchee invades the fold. 

And from his neighbor's bosom steals the lamb; 

He snaps asunder wedlock's dearest ties. 

Gloats in his triumph over virtue's strength. 

Acquits himself a chief in ruin's work. 

In blasting most sweet hopes of happy homes. 

4 THE ERRING WIFE. 
The stranger flatters with enticing words. 
With gestures lewd and soft coquettish smile. 
We know not which commands the greater scorn. 
The bawd who tempts or she who weakly yields 



THE THORNY PATH 11, 

To blandishments of poison tongues which sting 

With deadly thrust. Her husband swore she loved. 

He seemed her paragon who wooed her hand, 

With goodly gifts of jewels rich and rare, 

With philters, and love potions mixed with care, 

All steeped in catanance's charming drug. 

But she, base ingrate, mocks his trustful hopes. 

And ridicules the cowering cuckold's horns. 

Pity for men who feel the tyrant touch 

Of human frailty oft constrains the heart. 

To look through false prosceniums on the stage. 

Where actor's test earth's histrionic art. 

And play dramatic tragedies in life. 

5 THE THORNY PATH TO HEAVEN. 

On earth there is no respite to man's toil. 
And at the end his doom lacks Heaven's reprieve. 
From puling childhood to decrepid age. 
Engrossed in business or absorbed in care, 
Man struggles with his lot suffused in tears. 
Shekels of silver and of gold he wins, 
But meets scant sympathy, or hope, or joy. 
Along life's toilsome road he travels fast ; 
The steep and weary way fatigues his soul; 
Bedewed with sweat and choked with flying dust, 
Footsore and crippled on the rough, hard path, 
Fainting with heat he braves the torrid sun, 
At noonday pausing not to quench his thirst. 



116 COSMIAD 



Merciful Heaven, strike and redress his wrongs; 
Aid him to reach betimes his journey's end. 
Make smooth the road where now he climbs the hill, 
And gently lead him upward towards the goal, 
And so at last when he shall mount the top. 
When he shall stand before the wicket gate. 
Pray wilt Thou open wide the great bronze door. 
That he in peace may rest in that grand hall 
Where all the fathers sleep. 

6 TERRORS OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT. 

Besmeared with pitch in ovens of live coals. 
Hell sounds like crackling oceans of hot flame. 
Amidst the noise and shouts of revelry, 
We hear the fiendish laugh in mockful scorn. 
The song of bachanals with lute and harp, 
Eftsoons the piercing shriek and painful yell 
Of souls in torment in confines of hell. 
While worlds are blazing in wild brimstone fires. 
With such a stare do demons gaze withal, 
That human spirits dare not meet their glance. 
But drop their eyes as cowards meekly quail. 
There is no storm so rude, nor sky so dark. 
But daylight breaks through clouds of blackest hue; 
So through the murky mist of doubt and death, 
Man's life elicits sunshine from bright heavens, 
Which canopy his head and cheer his heart. 



SORROW THRIVES WITH SIN 117 

7 NO ANODYNES FOE THE SOUL. 

The clew which leads through labarynths of earth, 

Exhibits vistas on the heights beyond. 

Where golden sceptres, diamond crowns of kings. 

Adorn bold knights in castle halls immured. 

when shall we forsake these everglades, 

And wing our flight through broad expanse of air. 

To those fair hills and fields forever green ! 

When through this world each pilgrim plods his way, 

Though clad in mail and panoply of steel. 

What power, from lightning's stroke and stormy blast, 

Shall shield his head with armored carapace. 

Inured to pain without narcotic drugs. 

We crave no soporific anod3rQe, 

No coca wine, nepenthe, Indian hemp, 

No juices mingled by some haggard witch. 

Nor ether fumes, nor smoke of poppy leaves. 

Shall calm our senses in oblivion. 

8 SORROW THRIVES WITH SIN. 
Spurn we alike the hangman's cord or else 
The cup of poison, or the dagger's point. 
With which the suicide oft ends his grief. 

And soothes the throbbings of his maniac brain, 
In dreamless sleep and Lethe's cold embrace. 
Death terminates the worst of human ills. 
And grants a period to all our woes; 
Our benefactor can bestow no more. 



118 COSMIAD 



The Sovereign of the universe Himself, 
May blast the thorn, or cut the thistle down. 
Or nip their saplings ere they bud or bloom; 
But sin and sorrow, plants of earthly soil. 
So rooted are, luxuriant in growth. 
That they outlive the tempest^s fierce assault, 
And equally survive the summer's drought, 
The overwhelming flood, and winter's cold. 

9 THE EARTH IS MOTHER; GOD IS FATHER. 

Within rich realms of fantasy, when we 
Behold the wild woods dusky with the crowds 
Of oreads that fill the gloomy space. 
Of mountain crevices and caves, how oft 
The pensive thoughts, the fears depress the soul. 
Or else bestir the heart to quicker pulse. 
Sensations wrought by an imperious power. 
Earth's motherhood, God's fatherhood combine, 
The one to furnish flesh, the other soul; 
The former to supply this corporal frame 
With substance tangible to mortal sense. 
The latter to endow these forms with mind. 
With animated spirit, quick for thought. 

10 THE SOUL'S APPEAL. 

Ah, what appeal can reach the limpid sky, 
Or gain the ear of Deity? What cry 
Of burdened and oppressed humanity, 



THE HO VERING OF SPIRI TS 1 1 9 



Can waken motions in that heart Divine, 

To bring release to souls in agon}^? 

Who else can quell the socialistic pang, 

That hovers with the murderer's deadly bane, 

Around the throne of kings to spoil their peace? 

Time, arrant thief, steals this brief life away; 

Swift as a river flows this stream along, 

Stays not one moment on the shelving bank. 

But through earth's rocky channel chafes its course; 

Till yon vast sea shall dam it up with tides. 

11 BEAYE BE THY LIFE. 

Be calm and bide thy time, my soul, be calm. 
And fight till life's great battle shall be Avon. 
Let us so use swift moments which speed by. 
That passing hours shall bid benign adieus, 
Rather than pierce us with keen Parthian blades. 
Since man first crept into this breathing world. 
Baffled by fortune through fate's stern decree, 
The angry storm beats on, the wild winds rave, 
Driving life's billows 'gainst earth's rocky shore. 
Hov/ oft our thoughts are kindled by the blaze. 
Of things supposititious, false, or vain. 
When apparitions of unearthly scenes. 
Affright the mind, else dormant or morose. 

12 BOLD SPTEITS STALK ABEOAD. 

In black Cimmerian darkness of the night. 
When all the stars are hidden with deep clouds. 



120 COSMIAD 



Grotesque and ghostly forms all through the air, 
Strive to evade our sight; bold spirits move^ 
All earthborn creatures shuddering hide their heads, 
In some dark cave where wild life dares not stir; 
Or curse their fate beneath some shelving rock, 
Such dreadful shock suits with this dismal time. 
The ghastly spectres hovering near earth's bounds, 
Brood of infernal shapes with aspect dire, 
Crowd through etherial space with hostile threats. 
They point with fingers of death's skeleton 
Yclad in sinews towards their drear abode, 
And with grim visage beck us thither turn. 

13 SUCCOUR IN TEMPTATIOlvT. 

"0 come" quoth one, "ye denizens of earth, 
Come ye along where savory pottage boils. 
And seething caldrons hiss above the fires. 
And our weird sisters hang the crooked crane. 
With spitted flesh, and greet their guests with smiles: 
Draughts of refreshing ale shall quench your thirst." 
When thus the fiend had tempted Eve's fair sons. 
An angel from the heights of glory dropped, 
With outspread wings from realms of Paradise, 
Whose footprint light as air touched earth's dun soil. 
"0 come with me" saith Michael, "to that land. 
Where flowers perennial never cease to bloom. 
The land of spreading palms and shady groves. 
Where grows the wholesome olive and rich vine." 



THE GREA T HISTORIC N ABIES 1 2 1 



Just then the clamorous fiends with horrid yell, 
Seize on their timorous prey in gluttonous greed, 
And clamber through the charnel vaults of tombs, 
Tearing each viscid cerement from earth's slain. 
The spirits vanish; but though hid from sight. 
We hear unearthly sounds like clanking chains. 
Which bind their victims while the captives swoon. 
Then such a dream seized on this vital flesh. 
That frigid horror stood aghast with fear, 
When kindlings of dry fagots burn so bright. 
Contrast his mind with One who is so wise. 
That in His book there's not a word to blot, 

14 FROM SMALL ATOMS, GREAT THIXGS 

GROW. 

There is an eye which never sleeps, an arm 
Unwearied through the ages strikes its blows. 
So strong that day or night it needs no rest. 
Imprisoned in the walls of the acorn's shell. 
Lies the hidden embryo of the mighty oak. 
Wrapt in the swadling bands of th' infant's form, 
Behold those prodigies of future strengih 
And valor equal to a giant's power. 
Who could believe that Caesar, puling ba])e. 
Could grow to be so great in man's esteem; 
That he must be enrolled with ancient kings. 
Whose statues stand among the gods of Rome? 
Shrouded in mystery aloft they dwell; 



122 COSMIAD 



The halo crowns them with a sacred awe. 
On their proud pedestal they firmly rest, 
Safe from vicissitude, while nations fall. 
Their names are graved on Memory's titled page, 
Inscribed in tablets of enduring bronze; 
They live immortal on the list of fame; 
Their glory lingers round their shapeless dust. 

15 THE LEGIBLE EOLL. 

But yesterday the slightest gash would cut some vein. 
And blood come spurting from the artery's wound; 
Life would flow out from thrust of dagger's point. 
Through mouths no bigger than a bodkin's eye. 
Leaves from the book of nature have I brought 
To thee, Man, taught in God's school of arts; 
There findst thou written legibly a scroll. 
In characters of gold if thou canst read 
The hieroglyph inscriptions on the walls. 
Of ancient palaces where figured lines 
Significant, mysterious, portray the night. 
When Buto spreads dark curtains round the sky 
Butiris bathes in waters of the Erne. 

16 THE AGED NESTOR. 

Gaze through the shades of midnight's deepest cave. 
From darkened windows into space unveiled. 
Dost thou behold that spectre like a ghost, 
Masked in the gloom of Erebus spellbound? 



THE GREA T HISTORIC NAMES 123 

So peers the aged Nestor through the film, 
Which shuts his vision from this nether world. 
When his long day draws to its solemn close, 
And night evolves in shadows grim and gray; 
Sadly he lingers at the silent porch, 
Whose portals open into sable rooms. 
While recollections of his j^outhful days. 
Flash through the darkest chambers of his soul, 
Keep silence, child, and listen to this sage; 
Softly he whispers to attentive ears. 

17 NESTOR SPEAKS THUS TO ELIZA. 

"Now eighty winters with their snow-white frost. 
Have blanched this beard upon my pallid cheek. 
With careworn wrinkles have these features strewn. 
And ploughed long furrows in my pensive l)row. 
These scattered locks, this hoary head else bald. 
Are all that's left to tell my soul's deep woe. 
This withered, shapeless form so bent with age, 
These stooping shoulders, shrivelled legs and arms, 
Supported by my staff, by crutches staid. 
Remind me that the end of life is near. 
I can not see, feel, hear, or smell, or taste. 
My toothless gums can scarce one morsel bite. 
And my spent vigor leaves me in decay. 
Bids me through this dark Avorld to grope my way. 
With hope await my coming avatar. 
when will care and painful suffering cease. 



124 COSMIAD 



How soon will death set this bound captive free, 
And soothe the sharp sting in these aching limbs." 

18 ELIZA TAKES UP THE DIALOGUE. 

The old man rested from the toil of speech. 

And leaned for help upon his daughter's arm, 

For he was not alone although he deemed 

His sad complaint, a last soliloquy; 

But round him stood his children, wife and friends. 

He might scarce hear their sobs or see their tears. 

Among them was Eliza, tall and fair. 

The damask roses blushed upon her cheek, 

And she was kind and goodly to the swain. 

Whose arm was gently offered to her hand, — 

A willing favor gained by modest wish; 

She to her grandsire thus addressed these words. 

"Pray pardon, aged sire, our questionings. 

We beg thee tell us of those younger days. 

What perils thou hast seen, what maxims tried. 

What dangers thou hast braved along the road, 

Vvliich leads up to the summit of that hill, 

Whose steep declivity brings thee at last, 

Down to this mountain's base; what clouds and storms 

Have swept across the sky to block thy way, 

Since thy farewell to the dewy morn of life. 

Till thou hast reached the sombre close of day." 



A DIALOGUE 125 



19 NESTOE. 

Thus in reply the aged Nestor speaks : 

"Such deeds so wondrous have I v/itnessed here, 

No language can describe, heard thoughtful words 

So rare, my weak tongue fails to compass them ; 

The tide of thought rebounds upon my soul, 

As overwhelming as Niagara, 

Whose wild swift waters, with their ceaseless roar. 

An august spectacle of grandeur, flow 

Down that steep precipice, in awful rage. 

But you mistake, fair maid, 'twas not my fate 

To stand a target in the deadly breach. 

And bravely gaze into the cannon^s mouth. 

Where serried ranks of patriot soldiers fall. 

Nor has this frame sought idleness and ease 

In marble palaces and banquet halls. 

With diamond rings on velvet cushions pressed. 

In life's great drama I have played my part. 

On this last act the curtain soon will fall. 

In earth's grand battle I have carried arms. 

Where the bugle note has never called retreat; 

It summons now to lay my armor down. 

While Dis awaits upon the shore of styx. 

To ferry souls across the river there. 

A voice invites me soon to join the throng. 

Of jubilant exiles from fatherland, 

Who dwell in walled towers on Quirinal hill. 



126 COSMIAD 



Where stands the Parthenon midst halls on high. 
Land of the fig, the olive and the vine, 
How thy fair meadows in rich verdure clad, 
Draw my swift feet to tread thy sunny glades. 
Upon this pedestal of shifting scenes, 
A man surveys the verge of this world's brink, 
To weigh its worth and learn its emptiness. 
The majesty of empire, pomp of kings, 
And all the glory wealth and wisdom bring. 
Are worthless toys which crumble and decay 
Amidst the wreck and ruthless crash of worlds." 
With so much force of feeling did he speak. 
That Nestor must needs pause awhile for breath. 

20 ELIZA. 

Eliza moved by subtle sympathy. 

Replied in terms of courtesy and said: 

"'Tis pity thus to fret and worry thee; 

But prying tongues oft scorn Discretion's chains, 

The fountain of perpetual youth lies hid. 

In some dark cave of earth yet unexplored. 

Beyond the ken of mortals. Wilt thou tell 

How life can be preserved to hoary age. 

Or give some history of thee and thine?" 

21 NESTOE. 

Then Nestor thus commenced his narrative: 
"As sweet as vestal virgin, my good wife. 



A DIALOGUE Vll 



For forty years retained her beauty^ youth^ 

Her husband's warm affection, confidence. 

And I loved her as no swain else could love. 

While I her spouse remained as temperate. 

As Jonathan whose tribe abstained from wine, 

From whom descended sons of Eechab's line. 

Platonic love in married life secures 

Perfection in the realm of social bliss. 

'It is not good for man to be alone'. 

Marriage is honorable in all mankind, 

Yet only if his bed be undefiled. 

But when his monster guest in greed of lust. 

Feasts on the pet ewe lamb, brought up with care, 

What hand shall strike the ruthless villain down. 

What power repair the loss of wedded love. 

Which finds no remedy short of the grave? 

Before Jehovah 'tis the truth I vouch. 

That secret ruin dwells in ogling eyes. 

When wife or husband sports with fair soft palms. 

There's many a home lies shattered in the wreck.'' 

In this last apothegm the aged man. 

Exhausted all his strength and paused again, 

A fact suggestive that he told no dream. 

23 NESTOR. 

But after some brief rest he thus resumes: 
"For years preceding times of chivalry, 
Man trends to worship woman with his gifts. 



128 COSMIAD 



As Moslem pilgrims tramp to Mecca's shrine; 
She deigns to bend her downward glance at him, 
And kindly lends her ear to his appeal, 
While devotees lie prostrate at her feet. 
But Jealousy, the thief who steals our sleep. 
And robs mankind of all their sweetest joy, 
Stalks through our chamber like unwelcome ghost. 
And turns dark night to dungeon's hideous gloom. 
The suicide would drown himself in blood, 
Eather than live thus, wade in his own gore. 
Say what can be more charming than the vow, 
Witnessed by Heaven, before God's altar sworn, 
When some fair maiden pledges man her troth. 
In answer to the question of the priest, 
Looks in her husband's face and speaks, ^I will'. 
He suffered hardships to obtain her hand. 
He plodded through the trackless wilderness. 
No guide or lantern helped him find the way. 
The lightning flashing from an angry sky. 
Supplied the torch which kindled up the gloom, 
But love's kind wishes ever cheered him on. 
He owns her beauty at the bridal shrine, 
Salutes her cheek with sweets of wedded bliss.'' 

23 ELIZA. 

Eliza's quick perception of fit words. 

Drew her still closer to her lover's side. 

Her modest woman's heart with sprigtly pulse. 



A DIALOGUE 129 



Mantled her cheek with crimson blush of joy. 
She said in answer to her grandsire's speech: 
"Thy beetling brows which cover wisdom's shrine, 
Bespeak for thee a listening multitude. 
Who would dread deafness as Heaven's direst curse. 
This land, the urn which holds the gathered dust 
Of million tribes who claimed ancestral homes, 
On hills, in valleys, close by flowing streams, 
This land the glory and the pride of man. 
Bears on her bosom vast and priceless stores. 
And treasures, gold and gems by misers prized; 
But gardens, orchards, richest mints and mines. 
The proudest palaces, the grandest domes; 
Contain no peer to share distinctive rank 
With wisdom, virtue, truth in th' humblest breast." 

24 XESTOR. 

"This must be true," said Nestor. "Both in life 
And nature, various fringes line the cloud. 
With changing colors, sometimes gray or black. 
At others red or crimson, and its edge. 
Is often rugged, rough, but seldom smooth. 
From weeping skies profusely fall the tears. 
As copious as the griefs they typify. 
These showers suffice to moisten and refresh. 
The parched and arid desert of this world. 
Beloved as daughters, thoughts which we beget. 
Are murdered by the world's neglect and scorn; 



[30 COSMIAD 



Then we bemoan their loss with grief sincere, 
As tearful Eachel mourns for children slain /^ 

25 ELIZA. 

When these pathetic words sadly expressed. 
Through some responsive chord of sympathy, 
Touched the emotions of Eliza's heart, 
Who feels her neighbor's sorrows as her own, 
She summoned courage from her modest soul, 
And made reply: "We read sweet poesy. 
When breezes whisper or the tempest roars. 
When we can feel the music in the woods. 
Tones creep into our ears like sounds of lute, 
Or harp and viol, Psyche's ecstatic voice. 
Melted to sadness or by grief subdued; 
Or else borne upward and aloft we soar 
On pinions of light gayety and joy. 
To realms of Arcady entranced by dreams. 
When Honor sits triumphant on our crest. 
Conscience acquits us of soft folly's boast. 
She said no more. She turned her beaming eyes 
Upon that face — no kin, but best beloved. 

26 NESTOE. 

"Pride is a sin," said Nestor, "by whose fault. 
Archangels fell, and Virtue lost her crown: — 
Bane of weak mind which puffs the peacock's plumes, 
The cancer pride a rodent ulcer grows. 
Strikes deep its root within the human soul, 



A DIALOGUE 131 



Devours man's vitals, feeds upon his heart, 

And hungry still fain eats away his life. 

Pride and ambition, sister twins by birth, 

Go hand in hand with men of crazy brains. 

Perdition oft by their combined assault, 

Outstrips by far the boundless reach of hope. 

When Eeason God's best gift to thankless man. 

Enthroned as goddess on high pedestal, 

Becomes a shrine where nations bow and kneel. 

Those genuflexions of her worshippers. 

Sure proofs of empty heads shall win the curse 

Of vain idolatry — Heaven's deathless wrath. 

Oft in the chambered palaces of kings, 

In dim religious light, devotion's choice. 

With accents hushed by fear and reverence ; 

The devotee withdraws himself awhile. 

For contemplation in deep solitude. 

There builds his altar to some golden god. 

In secret worships earth's Divinity, 

And pays his vows before an idol's shrine. 

His countenance transformed with radiant beams. 

His raiment glistening brighter than white flame. 

Betoken him transfigured to a prince. 

Whose royal blood commingles with divine. 

Dark and mysterious the powers of fate. 

Throw wide the portals to admit their guest, 

To that deep cavern where immortals dwell. 

Transcending fields of Thule and of Ind, 



132 COSMIAD 



Above Empyrian clouds and starlit vault; 
The world invisible to mortal eye 
Stands decked in verdure of Illyrian vales, 
More splendid than the realms of Oberon. 
See how the savage from his forest home, 
Slightly more sheltered than the leopard^s lair, 
Soaring boyond the path of Pleiades, 
Above the summit of heaven's milky way, 
Amazed shall stand and dazed with heart's delight. 
Survey the range of his new hunting-ground; 
So true to nature as by art adorned. 
Where rove the pastured ibex and gazelle. 
What startling revelations shall appear 
To all earth's countless tribes, when land and sea, 
N"o barriers interpose to intercourse. 
The Ethiop from Afric's sunny clime, 
Hani's progeny with skin of sable hue. 
Scorns not the fairest of the Aryan race. 
Where hostile nations in love's concord meet. 
Where wounds are healed and wrongs long since re- 
dressed ; 
Peace reigns in form like Eos god of mom, 
Distilling perfume from flowers wet with dew. 
This giantess strides forth o'er eastern hills, 
Her locks in ringlets swept by th' ocean's breeze. 
When wintry winds howl round their drear abode. 
With sound as wild as fog-horn notes at sea. 
They'll crowd together in closed circles round. 



A DIALOGUE \U 



Like cold flocks sheltered from the pelting storm. 
The storm-cloud lowering o'er the eastern hills 
Bursts in a moment 'gainst the Mosul gates. 
Along the mountain ridge^ the ploughboys haste. 
Like pigeons to their dove-cote, seeking home. 
Or find protection from the tempest's wrath, 
Beneath some tall pagoda's jutting dome." 

tl ELIZA THUS EEPLIED. 

"What mystic legends haunt that orient land ; 
Upon the banks of Chebar stood the seer, 
Where once the palms of Kifil cast their shade. 
He prophesied: The dry bones clothed in flesh 
Stood up, a mighty host, with life inspired — 
A figure of dead Israel revived. 
Maxims of wisdom fell from that old sage. 
Who taught his generation with these words : 
"So spend the hours of every passing day. 
And pen the records treasured on life's page, 
That their remembrance cherished as a dream, 
Passed in review may greet you with a smile; 
Like spirits cheering with a spectral song, 
And not like Parthians wounding as they flee." 

28 EESISTAXCS TO TEMPTATION GAINS 
REWARD. 

As scales of Justice balanced on the beam. 

Wave up and down with trembling motion swayed; 



134 COSMIAD 



So 'twixt their hopes and fears which fill the breast, 

Men rise to ecstacy or sink in gloom. 

Upon that night when jostled stars sank down, 

And some were blinded in the crash of worlds; 

An angel from the height of glory fell. 

In woman's guise whose virtue shared the wreck, 

Whose apotheosis were else complete. 

The constellation greets one added star; 

Archangels welcome one more saint to heaven; 

That tempted soul has spurned the proffered joy, 

To win a nobler gift than earth bestows. 

29 THE SOUL SEEKS REST. 

Hail, starry host, sprung from heaven's nebula, 

Obedient to Jehovah's mighty word. 

Who said : ^^Let there be light and there was light' 

How rich in splendor are those shining orbs. 

That spangled canopy of blue and gold. 

Attracting to the skies man's wondering gaze. 

Just as a comet through etherial space. 

Rushes with flaming blaze to reach its goal ; 

So tends each planet to his central sun. 

Wearied with circling through the realms on high; 

For rest most eager thus each human soul. 

Seeks refuge in the bosom of his God. 

O'er chasms of chaos hurtling through the gloom. 

Wafted where spirits hover poised on wings. 



THE UPWARD TENDING SPIRIT 135 

Their disembodied ranks soar by bright worlds, 
To reach the wicket gate of Canaan^s land. 

30 TPiEASUEES NOT WASTED BY MOTH OE 

EUST. 

The richest crown, the highest meed of praise, 

Falls to the lot of captains in the fight, 

Who won immortal laurels from the field. 

Where knights of valor championed innocence. 

And virtue in the tented camp of Mars, 

With dreadful slaughter of proud victims slain. 

Our priceless treasures lie beyond death's flood. 

Those envy taught man to admire and love. 

Far from the realms of Vulcan's dismal cave. 

Where seething cauldrons boil and serpents hiss. 

Lie fields so rich in verdure and ^^so full 

Of goodly prospect and melodious sound". 

That those sweet voices charm us with their song. 

That land gives rest to all earth's sorrowing train. 

Port in life's tempest, calm in the soul's wild storm. 

31 TEAN^QUIL IS LIFE'S JOUENEY'S END. 

The splendid glories of Immanuel's land, — 

How doth this heart yearn for those rose-twined bowers ; 

Tired breasts crave comfort in their garland shades. 

Upon the brink of Time's rough coast we stand. 

Eternity's vast waters dark and deep, 

O'er-arched with frowning cliffs roll 'neath our feet. 



136 COSMIAD 



One leap into this angry wave is tried, 

And all the bustling noise of earth grows still. 

Our craft when launched upon that stormy sea, 

Yields no returning to our native isle, 

But onward drifting, drifting still we speed. 

Till we outride the tempest's boisterous gale. 

Behold the beacon yonder on the hill. 

And cast our anchor in that quiet bay. 

Where destiny awards a peaceful home. 

32 OUR AIv^TICIPATED ELYSIUM. 

We shall dwell in the tower on the banks of the stream, 
Where the tall cheerful palms throw their wide- 
spreading shades. 

While the music floats wild as the songs of a dream. 
When the warblers whirl round mossy tufts o'er the 



We shall stand in the halls of a court built for kings, 

We no longer shall brood o'er the pangs of our 
grief. 
Where the ministrant angels on silvery wings. 

Bear the balm to our sorrows, to pains their relief. 
'Tis the island of Bimini where fountains of youth. 

Are forever still gushing through nuggets of gold: 
Where the quaint ancient legend transformed to the 
truth. 

Tells the life of the race that shall never grow old. 
On this isle we behold neither laughter nor tears. 



THE TEMPEST 137 



For no sin, woe or death hath access to these 
shores ; 
There's a bright, sunny landscape Avhose radiance cheers^ 
With Elysian light from the heaven's boundless 
stores. 
In the heat of midsummer, in the dogstar's fierce rage. 
Or in winter^s grey air that with bitterness chills ; 
There the sage with locks silvered with the hoar-frost of 
age. 
Hears the trumpet's rude blast o'er the echoing hills. 

33 THE TEMPEST. 

Wild beats the storm against the rocky shore. 

While flies the homebound ship across the waves; 

The seaman hanging from the topmost yard, 

Descries the land; when lo, his heart grows glad. 

"Pull, pull awa}^, brave lads," the sailor cries; 

"A few more leagues will bring her keel to lee; 

Then farewell to the toil and to the sea. 

Take heart bold tars, your daughters on the strand 

Waving their kerchiefs, greet you with their smiles. 

Your brothers' voices, echoing from the cliffs 

Drown heaven's fierce winds which toss the angry deep. 

Brave sailor's hearts, compact of flint and steel, 

Bronzed faces which pale fear can never blanch. 

Show now your manhood, while these eager throngs 

Witness the coursings of heroic blood." 

Crazed with mad ravings of the wrathful storm 

The ship's brave crew wrought at the ropes and helm. 



138 COSMIAD 



The cauldron of the sea boiled up aloft 

As 'twere by witchcraft stirred. When all seemed lost 

Each soul unto his patron saint or god, 

Addressed his prayers, — the sailor's earnest prayers 

Which knock so gently at the gates on high 

Secure sure entrance to heaven's splendid towers. 

A while the ship thus wrestled with the storm 

Adrift upon the cradling wave she floats, 

A toy and plaything of earth's elements 

Until she plunges through the briny depths, 

Drowning all souls that spurned heaven's proffered aid. 

How oft the broken spars and shattered decks 

Attest the ruin which life's tempest works. 

Time hath her billows and these rudely dash 

Against the confines of earth's sea-girt isles. 

God resting on his throne alone is calm. 

The flotsam covers the wild waste of life 

While man on troubled waters breasts the tide. 

The wrecks of manhood strewn along the main 

Confront the voyager on life's rough sea. 

When shall we reach the calm ? How many years 

Must we upon this stormy ocean sail 

Before we reach the haven which we seek? 

From out the deep dark caverns midst the gloom 

A voice comes forth as from the oracle. 

Of Dolphian Apollo: thus it speaks 

"Rend not man the double mystic veil 

Which hides the future from thy sight and ken. 

Thou canst not fathom with thy plummet line 

Depths so profound." 



FOURTH DUAN 

1 THE SEARCH FOB EEMEDY. 

The restless human mind 

Hath sought with active zeal and diligence. 

Some remedy for earthly ills whereby 

Man may repair the breach of Adam's curse; 

And in the fountain of eternal youth, 

May bathe his limbs thus to rejuvenate 

His mortal frame. This fails to subjugate 

The bold impassioned soul which spurns control. 

And will not wait for future bliss in worlds. 

Which lie beyond man's grasp. His alchemy 

Must change this earth to paradise as 'twas. 

Before man's sin and fall, when time was young, 

As the philisopher's weird stone transmutes. 

Base metals into gold. But Heaven's high will. 

Is wrought by Christ's atoning sacrifice. 

Who thus through blood transforms His cross of wood 

To diadems, which crown His royal sons. 

2 THE DRAUGHT OF LETHE. 

Life's end seems the graphic miniature of sleep, 
Balsam to wounds which breed from grief and care. 
Yokefellow of those drowsy anodynes, 
Distilled in antique crucibles which drip. 
Like hot alembics of skilled alchemist, 
Who toils in service of the ancient gods. 



140 COSMIAD 



Life is the last, best gift of God to man; 
The boon to which he clings with desperate 
And most tenacious grasp, the precious prize 
With which he parts in hopeless, blind despair. 
He guards this treasure with bold vigilance, 
And when at last that thief which robs and steals, 
Snatches this priceless jewel from his hand. 
He falls beneath the stroke which lays him low. 

3 NO SUEETY IN CASTING THE DIE. 

Apollo's priestess sits no longer now 

On Delphic tripod to foretell decrees, 

Which Fate with twirling spindle quickly winds. 

Mortals foreknow not now man's destiny. 

All their best prayers may never move those fates. 

Who in triumphant marches through this world, 

Mingling the cup of weeping with those draughts, 

Which flow from chalices full brimmed with hope, 

Transform our tears of joy to tears of woe. 

But when the man has played the game of life, 

And lost his all by one last fatal throw, 

He must not shrink to cross the mighty flume, 

Whose floodgates open on the unseen shores. 

Straining the wormwood from sad, pensive lives 

Of bitterness and sorrow, dark with care. 

The friends and brothers, round us would oft fain 

Mingle their sweetness in our cups of joy. 



THE SEARCH FOR REMEDY 141 



4 THE FINAL SEPAEATION. 

Anent those faults wliich turn man's heart aside. 
Some priest shall shrive and housel every soul. 
Dispensing faith's viaticum to all. 
Who travel hence on life's last pilgrimage. 
One lays his head upon some faithful breast, 
Clasps in his palm the hand he loves the best. 
Turns his bright face to that dark wall for rest. 
And there beholds the region of the blest. 
The deepest grief is to espy a son, 
Patting his mother's breast which feels no throb. 
Gazing in those dear eyes now lustreless. 
And calling for that voice which answers not. 
Ye mourners, mark well how that pallid brow, 
Like a marble statue blanches stiff and cold. 
The mother bird when wounded in the wine:. 
Returns no more unto her nest and brood. 
In vain her fledgelings gaping for their food, 
Wait for her visit: for she comes not back. 

5 SPRING. 

Farewell, ye wintry winds, that whistle round 
The bleak, cold hills. The joyous, lively spring 
Shoots gaily forth to gladden earth's brown fields. 
And bathe the blossoms of these honeyed flowers. 
In evening dews which wash their fragrant cups. 
We bid adieu to icy frost and snow. 
That we may hail with glad, light heart the twigs, 



142 COSMIAD 



Which bud and bloom -upon the fresh-leaved trees. 
Welcome, ye balmy airs and smiling skies, 
Whose azure depths like liquid crystals shine. 
Bold Chanticleer now lifts his horn and blows 
His shrill or mellow note; with pride he struts, 
Cross furrowed glebe to greet his cackling dames; 
While drowsy bees, their droning flight pursue. 
And humming birds skip lightly o'er the way, 
From bushy bough to hedge and prickly brier. 

6 THE AUDIBLE A^OICE OF NATURE. 

Behold the analogue of life's gay spring, 

Which spreads her lap of verdure round the path. 

Of gentle youth in sweetness of its bloom. 

The maiden's blushes on her damask cheek. 

Rival the honeysuckle in the ides 

Of June. Our life begins as doth the year. 

With screams of prattling joy whose sun dissolves 

The snow and melts the hoary frost on dunes and rocks, 

In fields where violets and pansies grow. 

We watch the plumage of the birds, and hear 

The bobolink that tunes his merry song. 

On yonder oaken bower. The nightingale 

Now chants his lay while darkness veils the sky. 

7 SUMMER. 

When summer comes to perfume all the air, 
We hear the murmur of the crystal stream. 



THE UNIVERSE 143 



And spread our limbs beneath the pine tree's shade. 

We gaze on the fleecy whiteness of the cloud, 

Painted upon the heaven's serene blue sky. 

And so life's summer comes with torrid heat, 

To parch the fields and bake the arid soil, 

And then the autumn with its yellow leaf, 

Invites man to the gathering of the sheaves 

Of ripened grain, and harvesting of fruit. 

Which falls and soon decays; then winter chills 

The air and drives the husbandman to seek 

A shelter for his flocks and herds. 

While he betakes him to that narrow house. 

Where he must sleep until the twilight shows. 

That dawn which ushers in eternal day, 

Whose brighter sun shall shed heaven's genial warmtli. 

The harbinger of everlasting spring. 

8 THE UmVEESE. 

Columns and pillars which support this earth. 
Throwing their arches round celestial spheres, 
Bear up the sky and form arcades to match 
The mighty fabric of this universe. 
Enameled with cerulean blue, this dome. 
The firmament stands an inverted cup. 
Above each hemisphere, throughout the night 
Bespangled with fair stars, but every day 
Eesplendent with the beams of heaven's bright sun. 
What Power can guide aright these planet worlds. 



144 COSMIAD 



Through their eccentric circuits round the sun? 
Whose seigniory could shape these cosmic orbs, 
In ordered beauty cast these countless globes, 
And bend them to His will ? God deals for man. 

9 EEAPINCI AS THEY SOW. 

In single combat gladiators meet, 
Long wont to win heroic spoils of war, 
And brave rare dangers on life's battlefield. 
Fire flashes from their eyes and gleaming swords, 
Death in its thousand frightful forms may come; 
Sometimes upon the tramrail one is crushed. 
Beneath the flange of iron wheels whose edge 
Cuts through the quivering flesh effusing blood. 
Conveying thence the eger of man's life. 
Within the compass of this sphere, called earth. 
Where man reaps as he sows the fruits of toil, 
Zeal hath her votaries and strife, her woes. 
'Tis best that we should yield to Fate's decrees, 
Which drive the soul to yonder blissful world. 
Where eyes will shed no tears and human hearts 
Will need no solace for their griefs or cares. 
No balm their wounds to heal. 

10 REQUIEM. 

Behold the king upon his ebon tlirone. 

In high imperial majesty of state. 

Before whose gate the rabble doff their caps; 



FATALITY 145 

How is he straitened in the bonds of care, 

Until he finds a space wherein to lay 

His sceptre down in death's long dreamless sleep. 

Bards of the nation tune their elegies, 

To plaintive strains and chant their requiem lays. 

The monarch's cold, dull ear that used to hear 

Those adulations, now no longer heeds 

The flatteries of earth's vain syocophants. 

The head that proudly wore a jeweled crown, 

Now humbled in the dust demands no wreath 

To ornament that skull-shaped carapace. 

11 THE SPEGTEE. 

After life's toils are over, and its storms 

Have ceased, when smitten down by Heaven's last 

stroke, 
The greatest lords that empire ever held, 
As peaceful and serenely blest shall lie, 
As though they never wore a diadem, 
Nor felt the keenness of one sorrow's pang, 
In lost remembrance of their agony. 
What means that grim and spectral form so fierce, 
Which stands before the gateway to the tomb. 
And with his finger beck ens thither ? 
What message doth he bring to mortal ears. 
That he must press his lips with look so stern, 
Conceal his bold emprise which fate has sealed. 
Until life's rude, sharp buffetings have ceased. 



146 COSMIAD 



12 LUCIFER. 

What a sepulchral voice and savage mien! 

He strides about with countless daggers sheathed, 

Beneath his arm with which he threats to strike 

The weak, defenceless victim of his power. 

He speaks in tones of terror which affright 

The startled world. Above his flaming sword, 

A bolder spirit couched in shadow's form, 

Lifts his proud visage seeming sinister. 

And arch like some foul fiend whose cloven hoofs 

And horns of misshaped mould declare his name, 

And lineage as Satan's. ^Hold', quoth he, 

'That deed is mine, and mine the soul. 

Which with thy ruthless hand, priceless Death, 

Thou hast from earthly cerements roughly torn'. 

"Though once my slave thou art henceforth not bond 

But free, my own ally and bosom friend" ! 

13 THE PEACEFUL SLEEP OF CHILDHOOD. 
Loud rang his fiendish laugh through mundane spheres. 
These flaming lanterns of the sky shall shed. 

Their rays of light upon the pilgrims path, 
And guide the footsore traveller on his way. 
Bewildered in earth's labyrinth. The stars 
Those sessile orbs fixed in the firmament. 
Those eyes of Deity behold this world. 
The product of His skill whose fabric yields 
To human minds such rapt delight and joy. 



YOUTH AND AGE 147 



How placid seems the sleep of innocence, 
Beneath home's peaceful roof where no rude care, 
Dares to invade the realm of love's domain, 
With furrowed wrinkles for an infant's brow. 
How sweet the smile which curls those ruby lips, 
So often greeted with a mother's kiss, 
That with her silken touch and her soft hand. 
Smooths every roughness for her tender child. 

14 AGE EEAPS : YOUTE[ SOWS THE SEED. 

Enwrapt in mystery which none can solve, 

How strangely intricate the threads of life 

Seem mixed and interwoven with the woof 

Of human destiny. The highest rate of usury must 

youth 
Eepay to age for those excessive draughts. 
Pledged in our early years. The flower-seeds. 
Which we oft plant in youth spring up 
In beds of roses to adorn the bowers; 
But thistles grow : we pluck and crush their heads. 
Which prick and sting our hands with their sharp 

thorns. 
Life's harmonies and buffetings become, 
In pleasures and in pains, antagonisms. 
Which mar its beauty, chafe its peace and joy. — 
They leave a yearning for some treasured bliss. 
Within each human heart which keenly feels 
Earth's ill and woe. 



148 COSMIAD 



15 LIFE'S VOYAGE AND PEEILS. 

Hark to the moaning sea; its ebb and flow 
Mark time with pulse-beat of dame nature's heart, 
Whose sad complaint creeps in each listening ear. 
The boatmen launch their craft with muffled oars; 
Cargoes of shale or palm each galley brings, 
While shallops dip the crested wave of brine. 
The cry of anguish mingled with despair, 
Mounts from the deep to smite the gates on high. 
The call for mercy pleading still in vain. 
Invokes that aid which heavenly powers bestow. 
The lost, wrecked mariner falls to his knees, 
As lean and hungry beggars bow and cringe, 
in Iiome's high carnival. 

16 THE EACtING BILLOWS. 

The angry sea 

Rolls on inconstant as the flatile winds. 

how the bosom of wild ocean heaves ! 

Her billows dancing with delight swell high. 

Proud of those trophies which lie buried deep 

Within her vaults, her garnished catacombs. 

Dashing against enrockments on the shore. 

Waves of eternity forever roll. 

Floating rough driftwood from the banks of time. 

The Persian fire-god, Mithras, long enshrined 

In grottos wreathed by Zoroaster's hand, 



LIFE'S VOYAGE AND PERILS 149 

With garlands of fresh flowers shall find his peer, 
In cloud-born Jove, the ethnic Deity; 
And both shall bow beneath the sway of one 
True and eternal God. 

17 THE SUPEEME DIVINITY. 

Poseidon with his trident on the waves, 

Pluto with his Vulcanian thunderbolt. 

And all inferior deities crushed down, 

Beneath the weight of Pelion must yield 

To their dread Sovereign, heaven^s almighty King. 

Wert thou the lean and hungry Cassius e^en, 

Friend of immortal Caesar, thou must bend 

Beneath that sceptre which enthralls the world. 

Michael himself and spirits round the throne. 

Prostrate in homage lie before that Chief, 

Who guides the destiny and sways the life 

Of countless multitudes in earth and heaven. 

No planet can eclipse that splendid Sun, 

The bright effulgence of whose beams pervades. 

The utmost bounds of this vast universe. 

18 UNITED PRAISE. 

God is that Father who embraces all 

Within His arms. His children on His breast, 

Enfolded rest in His Paternal care. 

Thrice holy and triune, Jehovah, Thou, 

Entitled to our worship shalt receive 



150 COSMIAD 



Due meed of honor from creation's host. 
From peopled groves, hill altars and the spires 
Of woodland temples, wilt Thou hear earth's choirs, 
Of ten score thousand songsters wild with glee, 
Hymning sweet paeans of glad praise to Thee. 
The King who walks on circles of the spheres, 
And treads the clouds as dust beneath His feet, 
Whose chariot wheels borne on the wind ascend, 
The pillars of the sky 'mid crystal waves 
Of heaven's serene and tranquil air, that King 
Shall reign when all the emperors of earth 
Are sleeping in the vale of darkest night. 
Beneath the sombre yew trees gloomy shade. 

19 IN THE DEEP SEA. 

The giant Master of puissant force. 

In life's eventful story claims His place. 

The foremost Euler to control man's fate. 

The splintered wreck of countless argosies, 

The product of man's art and industry. 

Lie scattered wide upon the ocean's bed. 

There rest the heaps of human skeletons. 

Which blanch within the wasteful depths of brine, 

Where tritons revel in wild carnival. 

Cold as the waves where narwhals plough the main, 

The icebergs heave amidst the ships loud crash; 

Bold sailors tremble while the sea-fog lowers. 

In scapement from this soul's all-harrowing scene. 



LIFE'S VOYAGE AND PERILS 151 

List to the evening hymn of Philomel, 
Flitting with nimble wing from bush to briar, 
The bird of sweetest song that chants her lay 
On yonder bough through all the livelong night. 

20 THE SLEEPER FROM HIS DREAM SHALL 

WAKE. 

What syren voice shall sing the sonl to sleep, 
When cradled in the gentle arms of death? 
What singing bird shall hover o'er our graves. 
Matching the merry nightingale's sweet song, 
Through the long darkness of that dreamless night, 
Until life dawns on time's last gala day? 
What hand shall wind those ravelled curtains up, 
Which barred the chamber window of our eyes, 
When first we fell asleep? Then shall we wake 
To know no weeping; yea shall watch for aye, 
With no more sleeping, safely lodged with Him, 
Whose kindly keeping satisfies our hopes. 
that we might expand our wings and fly. 
Like eagles toward that far receding shore. 

21 NO RESTRAINT CAN KEEP THE SOUL. 

Garlands of flowery-kirtled meads bestow. 

Their fragrant odors there to captivate 

The willing sense of all earth's denizens. 

Lo heaven's fair stars draped in effulgence shine. 

Above the waves of earth's cerulean sea. 



162 COSMIAD 



Whose troubled winds with wild tempestuous roar 
Dash hard against the barriers of the sky. 
Trained like a steed equipped for battle's charge, 
These elements submit to God's control, 
And march by phalanx in equestrian style; 
His hand can curb their curvet with His rein, 
His arm restrain their prancing escapade. 
Lo these wild winds and rude tempestuous skies, 
Stamped like the frown upon God's angry brow, 
No longer stand to bar the gates of heaven, 
To keep the soul back from its entrance there; 
Where we shall stay forever far removed 
From this rough torrent which now sweeps away. 
The world's base chaff with all its earthly dross. 

22 IMMORTAL HOPE. 

Although the lamb, weak and resistless prey. 
Seized in the vulture's talons, swiftly borne 
To yonder crag upon the mountain's height, 
Affords a festive morsel to her brood ; 
Yet parts he with but mortal life and frame; 
While man owns an immortal part, a soul. 
No dagger's point or tooth of beast can harm. 
This yields he up to all-devouring time. 
Treasure to endless years, kept in that store, 
Whose coffers never rust. How can we solve 
The riddle of man's life which seems so dark, 
Compared with that enigma of his death. 



ETERNAL RAPTURE 153 

Which shadows hope in deepest mystery? 
What form of dread spreads out her mystic veil. 
Around the golden tresses of that youth, 
What figure stands in dazzling light of morn, 
On earth^s proud pedestal? Can that be life? 
But while we gaze, the fleecy cloud dissolves. 

23 THE EECOMPENSE. 

In rapt delight we wonder at the freaks. 

And fickle change through which the shadows pass. 

The ghostly apparition drops her veil. 

Behold the skull and cross-bones, ghastly sight, 

Eevealed through dismal darkness of the night. 

By death^s cold taper or some glow-worm's light. 

when mortality is laid aside, 

'Tis man's ambition that it may be said; 

Our friend is gone; but while we mourn his loss, 

The glorious treasure of the best he wrought. 

Is shown us in the works he left behind. 

Upon his pathway fortune seldom smiled, 

But well he bore her buffets and her frowns. 

With sweetest patience suffered her reproofs. 

Till this last blow brought him to perfect peace. 

The pen he wielded was a magic wand, 

Which either stored the page with learned lore. 

Where sages study to adorn their wit. 

Or else each sentence in itself a poem, 

Instructs the bards with its inspiring word. 



154 COSMIAD 



To write their ditties in immortal verse. 
His works sort not with perishable things; 
The nations will not let them die. They live 
As deathless as his soul which long outlasts 
The conflagration of this changeful world. 

24 LIFE'S EEST AND WEEATH. 

The riddle now is solved, all doubts removed. 

The dark forebodings of uncertain life, 

With its ill-omened spectres vanished far 

From man's dim eyes; his soul has reached the light, 

No longer gropes he through earth's fearful night. 

Far from this scene of ribaldry and jest. 

Secreted from the gaze of mortal eyes. 

The renovated man pursues his scheme, 

Of blazoned fame and gilded heraldry, 

Or courts the shadows of oblivion, 

Beyond the gateway of Elysium. 

The honor of his crown now sits on him. 

More meekly than the pomp of earthly kings. 

25 THE SPIRIT AT PEACE. 

No human voice of animated clay, 

Can summon back the spirit which has fled. 

Or life restore to his pale ashen bust. 

No charm of witch or pious augury 

Can vivify the urn of sacred dust, 

Which holds his treasured bones in sepulture. 



LIFE'S REST AND WREATH 155 

Embalmed in tears he sleeps a placid sleep, 
Beneath the tinted verdure of the vale; 
While incense burns and rises like our prayers, 
Expressive of our hopes that he may rest, 
A sleeper sheltered in the arms of peace. 
For human life is but the golden eve, 
Of day that dawns upon a brighter morrow. 

26 SINGING THE ANTHEMS. 
What voice with sweetest music fills the air. 
Like siren's song of charming melody? 
No force is strong enough to sweep away 
The pilgrim while he fords the Stvgian flood. 
Ye heavenly choristers in chorus sing; 

Let David string his harp and touch the chords, 
That used to sound of old in regal halls. 
Ye princely vocalists of ancient fame. 
Assist the quire concordant hymns to sing. 
With your skilled voices croAvd these temple courts. 
Earth's sacred fanes, as in glad days of yore. 
From deafening noise, harsh piercing cries of woe, 
Fastidious ears turn toAvard that mellow strain. 
Which floats along the shores of Thule land. 
And fills the ravished sense with tuneful sound. 
Charming and sweet as is the lover's kiss. 

27 HOPE. 

There is a time to live, a time to die; 

And both with equal gladness man may choose. 



166 COSMIAD 

How can this long-imprisoned soul forbid 
To drop these manacles and leave behind 
This tenement and soar through earth's free air. 
The cargo saved from countless freighted ships, 
With rich immortal treasures gains the port, 
Whose confines circumscribe an endless calm. 
All that is pure and noble still survives; 
The base and vile are shattered in the wreck. 
And sink beneath the angry, whelming flood. 
Man's conscience, monitor of life's high aims, 
Shall guide the helm across this troubled sea. 
Long may our courage foil the tempter's power. 
Subdue his rage, and match his quenchless zeal. 

28 THE WIDE SPEEADING HAVOC. 

Time with entrammelled locks and hoary beard. 

Stalks like a frantic ghost o'er earth's grey clod, 

And in the drama of this sad world's woe. 

In buskin shoon performs his tragic act. 

Death on white palfrey trained like warlike steed. 

Enriched with trophies both from land and sea. 

With banners floating in the flush of power. 

With skull and cross-bones for his armorial sign, 

Wields his proud sceptre o'er this conquered world. 

So wide he sweeps to gather in his spoils, 

That nought escapes his touch save one small sphere, 

Whose paltry pittance his high scorn ignores. 



THE TUMUL T OF THE WORLD \hl 

Behold the thunder cloud of judgment lowers. 
Let all the brave keep sentry in the rocks. 

29 PLEA FOR DEFENCE. 

From this drear waste of ocean^s wilderness, 
A voice goes up, the cry of human hearts, 
Entreative prayer knocks at the gate of heaven, 
To beg redress for man's most monstrous wrongs. 
"Save him, God," it pleads, "from life's wild storm, 
From sorrow's dismal gloom and orphan's tears. 
Support his soul beneath misfortune's stroke. 
When swells the tide which buries his last hope. 
When sinks his fainting heart in grief's deep gulf, 
Sustain him gracious Heaven amidst his fears; 
In wild despair clothe him with confidence, 
Beneath the shelter of protecting arms. 
That he may breast the shock of drowning floods. 
Stand firm as rock against life's last dread wave. 

30 MARTYRDOM. 

How honored and revered are sainted dead; 
Martyrs who perished in the quest of truth. 
Who suffered for man's conscientious rights. 
For virtue's civic principles in state, 
For freedom of God's worship in His church. 
Their precious life-blood boldly did they shed. 
Harvest of souls reaped on those sanguine fields. 
Where Stephen first by sacrifice of life. 



158 COSMIAD 



Paid back to bigotry and prejudice 

Their double dues and won his diadem. 

In this bold warfare each reformer stood, 

A force of sturdy strength against the world. 

The current of whose thoughts and purposes, 

He bent from sordid and ignoble sloughs 

To nobler heights through channels more Divine. 

31 WAEFAEE OF LIFE. 

We hear the music of the tuneful horn, 

Which calls each man to duty's battlefield. 

That note entrancing as the sea-maid's song^ 

Allures the youth to venture on the beach. 

Where his brave comrades fell, where all 

Who fight for liberty and glory die. 

Age after age with martial tread moves on. 

To trace the track of generations gone. 

Marching together towards life's destined goal. 

The seaman lashed unto his wave-washed deck. 

Or rudely rocked on cradle of the mast. 

His eyelids heavy with night's leaden sleep. 

At seven bells watching till his drooping heart. 

Grows weary; but revives with merry cheer, 

V/hile dreaming of his children, wife and home, — 

The seaman trusts all to that noble ship. 

Which bears him on to meet love's sweet embrace. 

82 THE DANGERS OF THE DEEP. 

In life's eventful voyage, how the winds 

So fiercely armed with heaven's dread thunderbolt, 



LIFE'S STORMY SEA 159 



Strike on the sea and pile the mountain waves, 
Above the clouds. So roughly tossed, the ship 
Without a rudder on this stormy main, 
May drift or founder and the seaman's skill 
Oft fails to guide his galleon into port. 
Many a rocky shoal beneath the waves, 
Lies hidden from the view; and mariners 
Upon these dreadful friths while drifting by, 
Make shipwreck on the banks or foggy shore. 
Save them, ye powers, in Neptune's calmer days, 
Which mxcn call halcyon, from winter's rage. 
Their father's God shall be their trust for aye. 
While life shall poise the scale upon its beam. 
And should it chance that they were born beneath 
Some lucky star which ruled the happy hour 
Of their nativity, they shall exult. 
Buoyant with hope that life is still secure. 

33 EESCUE FOR THE IMPERILLED. 

If not the stars, some genius loci may 

Preserve them bound amidst the vessel's wreck; 

Some guardian deity their grief may spy. 

While keeping vigil round man's wretched sons; 

Yea guide them through the highways of this earth, 

O'er river, gulf and ocean, seas and floods, 

The streets of this world's Venice, till they reach 

The safe lagoons where anchorage is sure. 

There let the storm-winds jostling round their graves, 



160 COSMIAD 



E'er drench the headstones, pious hands have reared. 

Man, like the oreole that's limed and caught 

Upon the branch of yonder gnarled oak, 

The more he struggles to be free from bonds. 

Which hold him fast to earth^s impediments. 

The firmer he lies bound, nor can he fly, 

Nor soar to lofty thoughts or themes sublime. 

34 THE DEADLY WOUND. 

As when the eagle wounded on the wing 

By rifle aimed with hunter's cruel skill. 

Drooping he falls; and strives in vain to shun 

His captor's swift pursuit; so man contends 

In vain endeavors to elude the shaft, 

Which time and age and death so surely aim, 

At his most vulnerable shield of life. 

Well may he guard against the deadly steel, 

With panoply impregnable as rock. 

So that its thrust may mark the quivering flesh 

With wound as slight as the spent arrow leaves. 

Or the wild eagle mounting to his nest. 

Upon the air through which it swiftly flies. 

35 THE SPIEITUAL CONTEST. 

Man now engages in the thickest fight. 

And from this battle makes no easy flight; 

But when his coward conscience drives him home. 

He covers his retreat through bosky glades, 



VICTORIOUS CRUSADER 161 

With Parthian arrows which he aims behind. 

His bold ambition bravely spurs him on 

To play the hero in this mimic war; 

He leads the charge against God's enemy, 

Who will no nearer reach the gates of heaven, 

Than by the verge of hell to take his stand, 

And watch for aye heaven's splendid, lofty towers. 

He that would climb to reach the dizzy heights. 

Which proud ambition builds of castled air, 

May gain a golden crown; but diadems 

Will rust and lose their lustre as they fade. 

36 ASPIRATIONS VENTURESOME. 

The bubble, fame, blown with the breath will burst, 

Transformed to froth; and man shall lay aside 

His broken pipe soon spoiled like childhood's toy. 

Which puffed his glory into being. 

Yet oft mistaken for the limpid sea. 

This frothy foam invites the mariner 

To stake his ventures on a stormy main. 

Where his best risks must founder in the wreck, 

On that last voyage which shatters all his hopes. 

There stand the crowds where carping envy waits. 

With jealous eye to watch the rival knight. 

Who champions the cause of innocence; 

And wields the lance of fearless chivalry. 

37 THE TRIUMPH OF TRUTH. 
Kings reign and fall; their empires soon decay. 
When Lion-hearted Richard draws his sword. 



162 COSMIAD 



The shout of victory ascends to heaven. 

mock not him with that dull feint of praise, 

When thou wouldst strike him down with parried thrust. 

A poniard lies concealed beneath his belt, 

Whose hidden point is thirsting for thy blood. 

Flamens of Mars their priestly office use 

In burning incense to this god of war. 

But truth more mighty than Aladdin's lamp, 

Through earth's dark corners casts her piercing beams. 

To scare the imps of falsehood and of night, 

Back to their native hell from whence they came. 

38 PEEYAILIXG TEUTH. 

O'er bristling host of error and of sin. 

Which trample down our weak and timid fears. 

The truth, more stout, than Caesar's brawny arm, 

Shall march at length in triumph to the front, 

And sweep the battlements of wrong away. 

Midst crashing spheres when time's last moon shall 

wane. 
The sun extinguished, wandering from his track. 
Stars blotted out shall fall from heaven's blue vaults 
The earth and sky together shall be rolled. 
In one vast flame which shall consume the world. 
Where wilt thou hide thy face, mortal Man, 
In that impending storm ? How wilt thou quake 
When fear shall blanch the cheek while ghouls sweep by. 
Ashamed for foul, dark sin, man slinks away. 



THE WORLD'S CONFLAGRATION 163 

To bury his wild features 'neath the earth. 
In creviced mountain caves and fissured rocks. 

39 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 

Ghosts stalk abroad; they crowd the ambient air; 
But vanish like the fleeting summer cloud, 
Which casts its giant shadow o'er the fells. 
Mute nature sighs to hear her children groan, 
Her beating heart grows faint, her bosom swells. 
No flood can quench the flames of passion's fire. 
Which burn her vitals with volcanic wrath. 
No furnace is so hot, no smoke so dense. 
In earth or hell, but some wise power may plot. 
To summon skill wherewith to mitigate 
Its terrible destruction and restrain 
It's boundless rage; but none can e'er assuage. 
The fervent heat which burns a blazing world, 
Till rocks and hills and seas shall be consumed. 

40 THE LAST GREAT CATASTROPHE. 

Ah what a crash will deafen man's dull ear. 

When towers shall tumble, battlements shall fall. 

The palaces of potentates and kings, 

Torn from their deep foundations of hewn stone. 

Shall sway and tremble in the dreadful storm. 

Which cracks their crumbling ruins into dust. 

Until through air and sky the welkin rings. 

With earth's wild roar and heaven's loud plaintive wail. 



164 COSMIAD 



When souls to judgment fly from earth's four winds, 
Thy trump's shrill note, Glabriel, shall rise. 
Thy sovereign sceptre scape thy grasp, Time ! 
The world now clad in drapery of cloud. 
Which like a mantle folded round the corse, 
Completes the shroud wherein its ashes rest, — 
The world lies buried, earth's cremated wrack. 
To sleep in nature's urn, but wake no more. 

41 THE DEATHLESS SPIEIT. 

These everlasting hills with woodland crowned, 
The wondrous fabric of God's universe. 
All, all shall perish and become as nought; 
Save only thought which prized immortal born. 
Breathing sweet incense from the dewlapt morn. 
Shall long outlive this wreck of rolling spheres. 
The human soul whose tender filaments 
Are firmer than the threads of gossamer. 
Or softest silk, reeled from its smooth cocoon. 
On filature of pearl can never die. 
The soul, like fabled salamander's flesh. 
Defies the flame and quenches sparks of fire. 
Survives the ruins of earth's charred remains, 
And lives beyond the bounds of age and time. 

42 THE INDESTEUCTIBLE SOUL. 

No power but His who breathed this living soul, 
In man can rob him of this heavenly gift. 



HOPE OF IMMORTAL LIFE 165 



Nor filch this life away; no tooth of moth, 
Through lapse of waning years can bite its thread; 
No rust can canker or corrode the face, 
Of this most treasured jewel heaven-bestowed. 
Through darkness all obscure man struggles on, 
Cheered with the hope of immortality. 
Beyond the gloomy portals of the grave. 
Faith sees a light, a radiant flame from heaven, 
Which brightens up when we draw near the tomb. 
Its gates to enter, 'neath its vault to sleep. 
Beyond these changing scenes we spy a world. 
Which has no change and peopled with our kin, 
Once like ourselves, pilgrims and strangers here. 
It waits to greet us with a welcome home. 
Where we shall press the forehead, lip and cheek. 
With fond affection's token undismayed. 

43 THE SATISFACTION PEESAGED. 

What worlds hang on these hopes ! what comforts flow 
Amidst these toils and cares to man's sad heart. 
From rainbows in our clouded skies which seem 
So stormy! Soon the whistling winds grow tranquil, 

soon 
The thunder's voice is hushed beneath Heaven's smile. 
That world will satisfy our craving souls. 
Better than glory, our ambitious minds. 
Yea, better far than gold, our avarice. 
The eye of pity, and the smile of welcome, 



166 COSMIAD 



Features familiar to God's worthy poor, 
With their indellible though stainless die, 
Will stamp impressions on the face of man, 
Whose brows the n;irror to love's thoughtful deeds. 
In heaven's bright sphere of endless happiness, 
Expectancy will find those sweet delights, 
Which do not cloy ; for men born to be kings 
Will doff their mean attire to wear their crowns. 
While in this field of sweat and toil we stay. 
We plough, we sow and pluck the weeds away. 
'Tis ours to watch the growing wheat and corn. 
Watered with dews of heaven and with our tears. 
It is the hope which triumphs o'er our fears. 
That we the ripened harvest soon shall reap. 
That we shall garner up the plenteous stores, 
In treasures which will not shrink nor fail. 
So rich indemnity rewards the strife. 
To cheer us on this battlefield of life. 



FIFTH DUAN 

1 SLEEP. 

Slyly he. creeps through shadows of the night, 
To bring my weary limbs their calm repose ; 
He clambers through the darkness, up the stairs, 
Unto my chamber door, stops not to knock. 
But enters as my guest to share my bed. 
Begs me to rest and then beguiles mine ear, 
With whispered flatterings, until at length 
He overcomes my restless thought with hum 
Of dronelike wings and pictures for my dreams. 
'Tis sleep that wakens fancies in my brain. 
Stills those grim spectres, sorrow, care and pain. 
Drives from my anxious brow toil's fevered heat. 
He lulls and sooths me with a tender touch, 
As soft and gentle as a mother's kiss. 
Upon the placid cheek of her sweet babe. 

2 DEEAMS. 

'Tis sleep that trips across my pillowed couch, 
And with his plastic finger seals mine eyes. 
So swift he flies up to the giddy height. 
Where slumber reigns in Morpheus' gilded hall, 
That his tired guests their royal master greet. 
While their majestic frames lie stretched across 
The floors and aisles of his grand corridors. 



168 COSMIAD. 



There in the home of dreams midst nodding plumes, 
I see the youth and aged sire asleep, 
Both rich and poor, the one in royal silk. 
The other dressed in rags, unlike in rank, 
All pay their homage to this god of sleep. 

3 TROUBLED WAKEFULNESS. 

Oft times the thoughts within the maniac's brain, 

Hold mutiny against sweet slumber^s voice, 

Whose force is smothered with their jargon yells. 

Care, grief and pain which shut the door to sleep. 

And bar the iron gates against that thief. 

Who steals away man's consciousness of life, 

Not seldom yields to slumber's crafty spell. 

Whose drowsy potions, drugs and anodynes. 

Soothe man's spent heart whene'er night's curtains fall. 

Alas ! for anxious and erosive cares. 

Which creep through chambers in the midnight watch, 

And gnaw like canker in the furrowed brow. 

And chafe the brain and brush away the balm. 

That seals the lids in dreams of dewy sleep. 

4 THE LAST SLUMBER. 

Welcome to hands which soothe with softest touch. 
And pour the spray upon each fevered cheek, 
Which smooth the wrinkles in the lap of pain. 
And gently minister sweet anodynes 
To frantic minds and throbbing hearts. Alack 



SLEEP 1 

In night's black vault of sadness man must sleep, 

Within earth's bosom, dense with shades compressed, 

Until he treads that labyrinth whose end 

Opes on the light of an eternal day. 

When the dusk form of tragedy stole forth. 

Through silent chambers in the dead of night. 

Protected by the darkness of her veil. 

And watched his victim slain by cruel hands. 

The blood upon the pillow told the tale 

Of horror, shocking the sense like Bluebeard's crime. 

The sun abashed withdrew his face for fright. 

He durst not gaze upon a scene so fell. 

That potent drug which chains man's captive will, 

And locks his reason in forgetfulness. 

Hath charms to soothe his idle fears, and quench 

The fever burning with delirious rage ; 

But hath less skill to save from mental wreck, 

The victim of delusive hopes and dreams. 

5 ON THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR AND 

CENTURY. 

how these earthly shadows on the dial. 
Come and depart, as in the circling years. 
The new treads in the footprints of the old. 
And in the movement of these rolling spheres. 
How quickly fly the moments bringing here 
Age and decline, the end of man's brief life. 



170 CO SMI AD 



Alas, how soon his evening twilight fades 
Into the darkness of the silent night ! 
But signals in the omens of the sky, 
Eeveal time's hopeful, golden augury; 
Tomorrow will be brighter than today. 

(; COULD WE BUT FOEGET OUR GRIEFS. 

Alas, this world so wearisome to me. 

Seems full of dire distress which plagues each heart, 

And man's sole remedy for earthly ills 

Lies buried in the grave's oblivion. 

There's not a spot of land from pole to pole, 

From Cathay westward unto Albion's isle, 

(Where tender recollections cling enshrined) 

Secure enough to treasure up our tears. 

Or furnish refuge to our banished hopes. 

0, 'tis so tedious living in these wilds, 

That fain would I assign myself the task. 

To rid me of this coil, like serpent's fold. 

Which binds my spirit to this mortal flesh. 

T COMFORTS IN THE AIR. 

Beshrew my heart, no flame shall singe a hair. 
Upon my head; no dagger drink this blood. 
Till the last circle of exhausted time 
Shall waste the hour-glass worn with sandy streams. 
This sharpness in the air which bites so keen. 
Like the crisp frosting on the autumn leaves, 



THE ELEMENTS BOTH BLESS AND CURSE 171 



But whets life's relish, and new vigor lends 
To my arm's seizure; how chill blow wintry winds 
That creep through broken panes in crazy huts, 
To freeze the children of the helpless poor. 
The parching heat of summer's midday sun. 
That ripens grain and paints the yellow corn, 
Seems thus to bless the poor man's homely toil. 
But wilts the sere leaf while it drives the kine 
For shelter to the shade of yonder oak. 

S THE ELEME^S^TS MimSTEBIIS^G FOR GOOD 
AN^D EVIL. 

The elements, heaven's ministrants to man, 
Whose nature is transformed to detriment, 
Oft kill ^ the creatures they were meant to bless. 
The thorn and brier which grow so near the rose. 
Betoken this alliance twixt the banes. 
Which plague and stores that gladden with delight. 
Beneath one roof our joys and sorrows dwell. 
Twin-sisters born in holy wedlock's bonds. 
Though so unlike yet of one stock derived. 
Beneath the evening shadows of these hills. 
Where solemn grandeur reigns, like nature's queen. 
The hasty stream glides by from which man dips 
The luscious wholesome draught to quench his thirst. 
In these same waters he both bathes and drowns. 



172 COSMIAD 



9 CAUSES OF BOTH DEATH AND LIFE. 

The fire that warms consumes; the fertile earth 

That yields her seed to nourish man's frail frame, 

Opens her jaws with force that splits the rocks, 

And hides him in ungarnished sepulchre. 

The labored ox that with his bellowing voice, 

Calls to his mates that graze the neighboring moor, 

Basks in the air where foul miasmas breed. 

And sniffs the breeze which bears the thunder-bolt. 

In this same element man breathes and lives. 

But through its poison vapors sickens sore. 

Or by the storm-cloud's flash of lightning falls. 

How close beside the dizzy heights of glory. 

Stands dark disgrace, that with a cobra's fangs. 

As dreadful as the fierce Euroclydon 

Strikes deeper than the flesh to wound the soul. 

10 THE STORM. 

Blow on wild winds till ye have spent your rage. 
Howl through the mountains where the beasts crouch 

low. 
Force your bold way through crevices and walls. 
'Tis dark tonight, the storm is fierce and loud. 
War rules the elements of earth and air, 
The tempest rends the oak and tears the sea. 
Winds dash the billows 'gainst the rocks and clouds, 
They toss the ships like toys upon the deep. 



FAITH DISCO VERER OF MAN 'SLOST HOPE 1 . 3 

The moon lies hidden in heaven's drear recess, 
No star shines out to cheer the gloom of night; 
The sailor trembles on the mast; his cry 
Amidst the creaking cordage of the ship, 
Goes up so shrill, 'tis heard above the storm. 
Look out upon the waters where the waste. 
Spreads wide upon the ocean's verge and see 
What havoc wrought by this tempestuous flood. 
Lies scattered o'er the bosom of yon gulf. 

11 FAITH DISCOVEEEE OF MAX'S LOST 

HOPE. 

Upon the border of that silent land, 

Where ghostly forms in liveried armor clad, 

Peer round and haunt the mouldy gates of tombs. 

To test each grave, if sprites may enter there. 

List to the trumpet's sound of reveille, 

Whose echo wakes man's spirit from the dust. 

Hark how the drumbeat on time's rocky shore. 

Thus summons ages from earth's realms of sleep. 

The bugle note which falls upon the ear. 

As gently as the dews upon the lawn. 

Dowered with hope, which wreathes the placid face 

With smiles that beam through beauty's noblest gift, 

Calms troubled souls whose depths profound have lost, 

Their sweetest chord in halsening crash of worlds. 



174 COSMIAD 



12 

The courtly knight that wields his trenchant steel. 
Upon whose shield a guardian leopard stands, 
Thrusts his keen blade through foemen's quivering flesh, 
Lays bare the veins through which life's current flows. 
The gladiator with his strength superb, 
Grasping antagonist in hostile clutch. 
Whose coping force has never yet been foiled ; 
Crippled with struggling for the laurel wreath, 
Stretches at length, his victim on the plain. 
Bleeding and dying 'midst th' arena's sand. 
The holy conclave will surpass our dreams; 
When opes the tomb her prison gates to give 
An exit to the bondman chained by death, 
And leaves them to go free. 

13 EARTH'S QUAKING IX TIME'S LAST DAY. 

When mother earth. 

Upbears her children with parturient throes. 

In grievous travail through delivery's pain. 

From her deep womb again her offspring heaves. 

Unto a second birth and life immortal. 

Time then itself shall die midst flaming worlds, 

Yea those stout walls, the grave's dark house though 

sealed. 
Shall burst asunder with a trumpet's blast. 
Ah, in the darkness and the gloom of death, 



PERFECT FUTURE JOY 175 

How all earth's vapid honors fade away! 
Then my soul, time is so wondrous brief, 
Perform thy task in haste before life fails. 
The drudgery of earth will soon be o'er, 
The Master recompense the dues of toil. 
With wages equal to the labor done. 

14 THIS WOELD UXLIlvE THE FUTURE. 

From altars in our hearts the sacred flame. 

Of pure devotion circling will ascend. 

Through heaven's clear ether to its starlit dome. 

Certain we are that such a world concealed. 

Lies hidden from our ken; for God's own word. 

Reveals this truth to man in clearer type. 

Than birthday stars portray his horologue. 

Then build no marble palace here, Man, 

But spread thy mobile tent upon the plain, 

For thou must fold it up and vanish soon. 

Think of that land where wars and crime shall cease. 

And no more blood be shed ; no tears shall fall. 

No pall, no bier, no darkness and no grave; 

No sickness grieve, no death appall, no heart 

With sorrow swell; where all is joy. 

No evil thing shall scale heaven's dizzy walls. 

15 THE FUTURE WORLD UNPARALLELED. 

At evening said the spirit's voice to man, 
"Exchange this hospice for elysium; 



176 COSMIAD 



Thy work is done; go home and get thy hire. 
Then comes the balm of sleep, a long calm rest, 
The souFs sweet peace. After last honors paid, 
Man needs no further gift from human hands; 
This world^s too cheap to form his cenotaph. 
There is a world where ocean tides swell not, 
Nor flow nor ebb to hold some pinnace neaped, — 
A world where moons shall neither wax nor wane. 
Beyond the cloudy pillar and the veil, 
Lie stretching far away the verdant hills, 
Those heights no eye of mortal can discern, 
No ear can catch the charming melody. 

16 CHARITY. 

There is a sphere in radiant glory cast. 
That yields no echo to a human sigh; 
Cities there are which rest in jasper walls. 
Where strife and envy stir no bitterness. 
Hobbling as Autumn comes with shuffling gait. 
To pile her hoard in Winter's empty lap; 
So Charity, friend of the helpless poor. 
Bestows the richness of life's benison. 
Where misery and hunger crave our alms. 
The scented smoke of burning holocaust, 
Smells not so sweet to Heaven as perfume borne. 
In clouds of incense to the gates on high, 
From sacrificial altars where some soul, 



PERFECl FUTURE JOY 177 



Has poured his offering of grateful praise, 
For charity^s bequest to sorrow's child. 

17 

Crook not thy knee, Man, with flattery's grace, 

Nor courtesy at the beck of pompous pride; 

But see how bold and ugly is the cheek 

Of painted Vice whose form half draped in folds. 

Of gossamer which spiders idly weave, 

Displays immodest charms. Her pleasures are 

As unsubstantial as the castle-gates. 

Which poets build on heights of Helicon, 

As flimsy and fantastical as dreams. 

Or pictured shadows on dim landscapes drawn. 

Where strife and envy stir no bitterness. 

More beautiful than earth's Arcadian plains. 

Will be those valleys all bedecked with flowers. 

There built of gold our fair palladium stands, 

'Tis than Corinthian temples richer far. 

No Samson Agonistes owns the strength. 

To wrest those pillars from their rocky base, 

Nor can Ulysses bear our treasure off. 

18 SATAN AND ADAM'S FALL. 

There is a bourne where all good spirits meet. 
By friction with the troubles in this world, 
The soul gets bruises surgeons cannot heal. 
Search for the soothing balm through every clime;- 



178 COSMIAD 



Man finds no help ; alas ! aid dwells not there, 
Nor elsewhere on the hither side of heaven. 
Satan, his form of vantage quick pursued, 
When from the heights of glory, down he fell; 
Since his remorseless tale of want and woe, 
Drew to his side the legions of God's foe. 
This prelude to the shock of Adam's fall, 
Portends the drama of life's tragedy. 
So quaintly ended with death's mystery. 

19 LOVE AND THE HONEYMOOxN. 
The cock, with his shrill voice salutes the morn. 
And wakes the drowsy sleeper to his toil. 

Forth goes the farmer with his jade and plough. 
To tend the tillage of his fruitful land. 
While shepherds guide their flocks to pastures green. 
And herdsmen chase their cattle through the moors. 
'Tis busy life indeed where spindles hum. 
And through the warp fly shuttles in the loom. 
The ploughman whistles while he sows his grain. 
The housewife twirls her distaff while she sings. 
The gallant swain at sunset tripping home. 
Hies him away to winsome bowers of love, 
Where modest maiden greets him with that smile. 
While blushing speaks its welcome to the heart. 

20 THE NUPTIAL HOUE. 
Since blue betokens constancy in love, 

He needs must twine her auburn hair with wreaths. 



DOMESTIC BLISS 179 

Of wild forgetmenots, his honor's pledge. 
While bees are swarming in their sunny hives, 
'Tis fitting time for man to woo and wed, 
To gather dew-drops from Love's honeyed lips, 
And sip the rose which blossoms on her cheek. 
The wine flows freely at the wedding feast. 
While jovial guests partake the festive cheer. 
And all goes merry as the summer's day. 
The marriage bells are ringing in the tower; 
Joy with her music rules the wedding hour. 

21 DOMESTIC BLISS THAT SCORNS THE 
WINE CUP. 

When through the day life's cup of pleasure flows, 

Winebibbling priests that with their fuddled brain, 

Teach morals to fair youth in tipsy mood, 

Or drain the punch-bowl sipping with their straw. 

Find far less pleasure than the swain in love. 

Filled to the brim with much of earth's content, 

'Tis sweeter still for crowning wedded bliss. 

That offspring issue from the marriage bond, 

To cheer man's heart with hopes in sadder years. 

Love is a constant banquet where the poor, 

As well as rich may feast and satisfy. 

Though never surfeit, satiate or pall. 

Their monstrous appetite; the more they eat. 

The more they want, and hunger for this feast. 



180 COS MI AD 



No fragrant wine from vintage of the Rhine, 
Nor nectar from the spicy Indian isles, 
No viand brought from Java or Cathay, 
Tastes half so sweet as love which never cloys, 
Nor fuddles the deep core of sober sense, 
Like liquor flowing from the drunkard's bowl. 
But cheers with ecstacy of fervid joy. 
The forester who gained his rights from kings, 
By ancient law, held title less secure. 
Than is love's claim to virtue's nobl,e gifts. 

22 THE BANEFUL MARA OF UNREST. 

Down in the shelter of some cool retreat. 

Beneath the elbows of the crooked oak. 

Love joys to dwell where youth to joy links arm. 

And drinks a health to pleasure as his bride. 

While hand in hand they dance the piper's reel, 

That life curtails by whirling off the years. 

When Clotho's distaff twirls her magic wheel. 

In wild and wanton playfulness, the wind 

Tosses the rocks like bubbles of thin air. 

Or gay and sportive toys of childhood's hour. 

Babel of idleness, thy tower of strength, 

Beaten by storms that batter 'gainst its walls. 

Shall totter to her fall by tempest's rage. 

Winds blow its turrets to earth's quartered heavens, 

As bellows toss the embers with their blast. 



RAGING PASSIONS 181 

23 THE RAGING PASSIO^^S. 

Eent with the passion of some earthly feud, 

Blind to her fate the dauntless soul lists not, 

In shredded livery to wear Heaven^s guise. 

Fain would each heart its worldly burden bear, 

Though deep the furrows of corroding care. 

Lie nestling in the wan and pallid cheek. 

The curse which falls from lips immaculate. 

Upon man's ear in apprehensive dread. 

Will rouse his dormant energies of life, 

To frantic efforts at heroic deeds. 

Wild is the tumult in the heaving breast. 

When passion joins where tragic thoughts conspire, 

While hate or envy with a fury's lash. 

Drives its mad victim to destruction's goal. 

The battle of the elements within. 

Destroys the ordeal of each warlike soul, 

From torch of spirit's fire acquitted free. 

24 THE GEAND VISION OF SOULS 

ASCENDING. 

But from the eye new flames of phrenzy burst, 
Enkindled there by sparks of smouldering rage. 
Jehovah's word uttered from Sinai's top. 
With thunder's voice and lurid lightning's tongue, 
Affrights man less than those deep undertones. 
Which conscience whispers to his inward ear. 



182 COSMIAD 



How tremtdous are mutterings which guide, 

Through virtue's pathway to heaven's narrow gate ! 

That pain of soul which men call sorrow's pang, 

Unlike the wound which bleeds from mortal flesh. 

Heals not by touch of Hermes' alchemy. 

When falters hope upon the awful brink, 

Of that dark stream once traversed by each soul, 

Which comes not back^gain, what spirit lives, 

That can inspire the courage or supply 

The strength to ford the river we call death ? 

could these mortal eyes with clouded sight. 

Behold the vision of ascending souls. 

When they expand their wings for upward flight. 

Borne on the cloud of angel companies. 

Through heaven's ethereal realms beyond the stars. 

We'd feel no doubt the rapture of delight, 

In view of august scenes in heights sublime; 

After all this how small these worlds appear ! 

And earthly sorrows dwindle into nought, 

Or insignificant and petty mites. 

25 MAlvT'S TEEEESTEIAL MONARCHY 
ABRIDGED. 

This goodly world with earth's vast wealth is ours. 

Ours are its grassy hills and sunlit skies. 

And ours at night the star-bespangled heavens. 

As o'er his realm each potentate presides, 

Man sways his sceptre with a royal grace. 



DEATH 188 



He strides the waves upon the flood of glory, 

And wears his crown in fashion of a king, 

While this proud sovereign rules in equity. 

And loyal nations own allegiance due, 

What power shall hurl man from life's citadel, 

What law depose him from his rightful throne? 

None but the world's prince, that dread conqueror. 

Whose name is Death. This incubus with fright 

Conspires to add fell terror to the night. 

With quivers of barbed arrov/s crowded full, 

And shoulders bared on hostile raid intent. 

He gropes like blear-eyed Melancholy's ghost. 

Beneath the arches of this pillared dome. 

No other shaft was e'er so truly aimed. 

And when he draws his long stretched bowstring back, 

Lets fly his dart with more than Switzer's skill. 

He strikes his victim down and stoutly proves 

Death's fatal archery. 

Behold how like a flash time's shuttle flies. 

With Brittle thread it mingles warp and woof, 

How soon it weaves the tangled skein of fate. 

Into life's robe of flimsy gossamer. 

Time will not soon from memory efface. 

The shifting scenes of this rude buffeting. 

Until the curtain falls upon the stage. 

When life's sad drama hastens to its close. 



184 COSMIAD 



26 CHASING AFTER PHANTOMS. 

Any child 

Views with delight the Champaign's clear mirage 

While eagerly he hastens to the scene 

Its beauty to enjoy when lo ! it fades 

And disappoints his hope like Sodom's fruit 

Which turns to ashes in his hand that grasped it 

So doth earth's pleasure vanish; every joy 

Thus quickly fades, and leaves each mind bereft 

Man's soul with each lunation of the moon 

Waxes and wanes within the zodiac 

Till its meconic cycle grows complete. 

Mix ye the poison in a murrhine cup 

Which crumbles ere one drinks the muscadel 

Proud as a murza of the Tartar race 

Whose kindest word is cruelty to man 

Whose love is hatred reeking with revenge 

He frights my panting heart; while I still watch 

The wandering peri through the woodland stray 

Palls on mine eyes and on my wearied ear 

And all my senses; so must I be deemed 

Unfortunate as Belisarius, 

Who after all his conquests begged his bread 

Within the city's gates; so must I mine 

To give my p' t the semblance of disgrace. 

27 IVAN. 
There is the son of Ivan who is called 
Blind bard of Argos; while he sings his lay, 



TRANSITOR Y PLEASURES 1 85 

His song falls on the ear like that soft tone. 

Which echoes from the woodland on the hills, 

When tolls the curfew bell at eventide. 

The legend tells not whether beast or bird, 

Was charmed while listening to th' enchanting strain; 

But elves that v/andered on the dark grey moor, 

Stood spellbound on the spot when Ivan sang. 

The scene of ancient story he rehearsed, 

Was on the border of Black Forest laid. 

Where Vikings stored their wealth within its caves. 

The dragon stationed at the cavern's mouth, 

To guard its entrance from approach of thieves. 

Lay there outstretched and basking in the sun, 

While Ivan watched him from the forest hill. 

There is the sea-king's coffer which lies hid, 

Within the secret nook of that deep cave; 

Many a silver thaler stored away 

In this strong casket of the noble thane. 

Tempted the avarice of robbers, thieves. 

And pirates, who displayed their gallant skill 

And prowess in attempts to gain access 

To this fair prize. 

28 LEGEND OF YLADIMIl?. 

The king named Vladimir renowned in war, 
Once brought his daughter to this wood. 
Much less to spite her suitors at his court. 
Than thus to test the fervor of her love. 



186 COSMIAD 



Disguised as huntsman he pursued the chase, 

While Winifred upon black palfrey mounted 

Rides by his side. The huntsman's horn full loud, 

Wakens the echoes from the distant hills, 

While deep-mouthed hounds, keen to the scented trail, 

Barking and baying hotly chase their game. 

Swift as a bird the frightened roebuck flies. 

O'er forest hill, beneath the clear blue skies; 

More fleet than he the royal retimee, 

With dog and charger their mad chase pursue. 

Hear them as through mid-air they shout, holla ! 

Onward they run by many a bushy dell. 

Through crooked paths along the mountain crag; 

With clatter of their hoofs the wildwood rings, 

At length the flrelock blazes with a flash; 

The buckshots fly but barely graze the flesh. 

Up starts the roebuck pricking high his ears. 

And leaps beyond the sight at one mad bound, 

To reach the awful precipice below. 

What power shall hold the panting coursers back. 

From plunging down that chasm to certain death? 

Heaven save them from such dread fatality. 

Far had they wandered through this kirtled wood, 

When suddenly they halted on the brink 

Of danger checked like hotspurs in rash haste, 

As though by quick surprisal they were hocked. 

One step now saved them all from endless night. 

That instant when the hunters felt the shock, 



DIALOGUE 187 

Their sense was startled by an amorous song, 
It was the voice of Ivan from the hoult, 
Whence he surveyed disasters of the chase. 

29 SONG. 
By Ivan. 

How sweet the tone of mellow horn. 

That floats across the deep, blue sea; 
The crow of cock in early morn, 

The song of maid so dear to me. 
How pretty is the lily's flower. 

That o'er the brooklet's border peeks, 
And richer than the princess' dower. 

The buds that blossom on her cheeks. 
As oft I watch the pigeon's cote. 

Where plights his troth, the cooing dove; 
I'll stake ten guineas to each groat, 

Upon the warmth of woman's love. 

30 WINIFRED TO VLADIMIR. 

What sounds are these which strike my ravished ear? 
What tones that creep along each quivering nerve, 
To reach the trembling fibres of my heart? 

31 VLADIMIR TO WINIFRED. 

'Tis some rude shepherd seeking his stray lambs. 
Which wandered from the fold to this green copse. 
He sings in token of his joy at last. 



188 COSMIAD 



In finding his lost pet among these brakes. 
Else he's a bandit that infests these wilds, 

From ^cliilkern hundreds' where his tribe ad;]eres. 

n THE EXD. 

Just then they reached a tall and stately oak, 

Which interposed her branches with their shade, 

Against the ruffian blazes of the sun. 

Hushed were the winds, those billows of the air. 

Which rushing in tornado often break 

The giant elm that stands like some ship's mast 

Upon the hillside. 



SONNETS 



SONNETS 191 



CHEISTMAS MOENING. 

Thronging the earth's dark depths with myriad train 

Grey spirit will-o-wisps along the moor, 

Flee homeward to their native caverns wild, 

While dawn begins to break o'er eastern hills. 

Witches alarmed by bright approaching day 

In their charmed circle seething cauldrons round, 

Extinguish fires which burn the livelong night 

And with their books of fate hie them away. 

To cells among the crevices of rocks. 

Look where the east throws wide her glowing gates 

And Eos paints the glories of the morn. 

Wake, wake ye shepherds; herald to the world 

In Messiannic hymn. The King is born 

Rejoice and sing; 'tis nature's holiday. 



192 SONNETS 



THE INTEEMEDIATE STATE CALLED 
PURGATORY. 

That wayside inn where souls may spend the night 

While flying homeward towards the realms of glory 

Hades yclept, ten million leagues from hell 

Upon the borderland of Paradise, — 

The prophet spies it, tranced in visions weird 

On the bright shore of Time's celestial isle. 

Now sleeps the mouldering clay 'neath mounds of earth 

In mausoleums grand or unmarked graves 

Where ghosts inhabit. Each dismantled corse 

Once held a spirit which inspired with life 

This tenement wherein it dwelt on earth 

And bade it smile or weep as liked him best; 

But death unlocked the prison door which kept 

The shackled soul, and set the captive free. 



SONNETS 193 



INSCEIPTION FOR A MONUMENT. 

Mysterious shadows o'er the dial cast 

Where time with wings outspread pursues his flight, 

Proclaim that life is hasting to its end. 

'Tis long ago since noontide's sun swept by 

With torrid heat which parched the limpid sand; 

The hour-glass thrice turned round so soon shall void 

Its last refilling, when the eve shall bring 

The dying embers of Life's wasted day. 

In death's dark, gruesome night, the rustic swain 

Fain would oft read this plaintive epitaph: 

"While this body lies here gently sleeping, 

Bid my friends refrain from bitter weeping; 

When the angel comes for harvest reaping, 

Jesu, take me to thy tender keeping." 



194 SONNETS 



EARTH'S EESTLESS WANDERERS. 

O'er all this globe, the tide of grief swells high 

And men seek refuge from distress by flight. 

Barbarian hordes and Arab wanderers, 

Wild Indian tribes and colonies of Jews, 

The migratory gipsy bands all rove 

Across the steppes of vaster continents, 

Homeless and sad in search of sweet repose. 

Above the waves of life's dark, troubled sea 

Spreads Faith's inspiring voice dispelling doubt 

To still the soul's unrest and bring us peace. 

Within the sky the radiant star of hope 

Gives presage of a brighter dawning day: 

There'll be a time, there'll be a land wherein 

The earth's lost wandering tribes will reach their home. 



SONNETS 195 



THE WOUNDED HUNTSMAN. 

Beneath the murky clouds of dark grey eve 
Bleak in the wintry storm the snow cl^d moor, 
Lies darkling, while the huntsman plods his way 
Across the trackless waste, alone and sad. 
The ichor of his blood with grumous clots 
Spreads as a plague around his wounded flesh 
Where poisoned arrows pierced it to the quick. 
Full many a morn high mounted on his horse 
With tightened rein he pricked her to the chase 
And called his pack of hounds which leaped for joy, 
But they shall hear his mellow horn no more. 
Weary and sinking, faint from loss of blood, 
Outstretched upon the icy bank he lies 
And swoons : the chilly blast rocks him to sleep. 



196 SONNETS 



EESPECT FOR OLD AGE. 

America still pines for her lost child 

That strays an exile in some foreign land; 

The banished virtue of her ancient prime 

When sages prized a venerable age. 

In days of yore when insolence was rare 

Youth's salutation with uncovered head, 

Paid homage due to age's hoary locks; 

But now the children mock their reverend sires, 

With boisterous shouts as wicked Hebrews did; 

Quoth they, "Go up thou bald-head" when the bears 

That scoured the neighboring wood devoured their prey. 

What dreadful doom and punishment is theirs, 

Who scorn the law which bids mankind revere 

Our aged sires and honor their grey hairs. 



SONNETS v.)7 



TPIE FOEESTER^S SOLILOQUY BY A BANISHED 
KINO. 

In these wild haunts, these dreary nooks and shades, 

Where each gnarled oak its solemn shadow throws, 

ril find a covert free from this world's care. 

Here on this mound beneath this cedar's branch, 

I'll set my throne, contented as a King 

And swing my sceptre o'er these forest glades. 

While each fierce beast shall own my sovereign sway 

There will I lie upon that bed of leaves. 

More restful to my limbs than couch of down, 

When weary from the chase, I reach my home. 

Far from vain pomp and idle gossiping, 

Secure from flattery, stale wit of courts, 

Bombastic pride, civilities of form 

Shadows which own naught real, henceforth I'm free. 



SONNETS 198 



DOMESTIC HAPPINESS AT CHEISTMAS-TIDE. 

Love's broadened sphere creates all men akin. 
How dear the bonds which nature sweetly ties 
With cords resilient from our kindred blood. 
The maid departing from her mother's arms, 
Becomes the bride that fits her husband's choice; 
Her babes, the olive branches round his board. 
Grow up to children who adorn their home. 
To them what cheer these little angels bring 
Joys of the fire-side prized on Christmas eve. 
That play in gathered groups the yew-trees round. 
Heaven bends to earth in adoration mild 
To witness that men crown her noblest Child, 
With royal honors for the health He brings 
Which blesseth equal to the wealth of kings. 



SONNETS 199 



WOMAN. 

Woman is given with angelic heart 
To share man^s joy and in his sorrow weep. 
Between them stretch the cords of sympathy 
So strong and tender that they keenly feel, 
Love's gentlest touch ; but giants can not rend 
The plastic web which knits two souls in one. 
Sweet eglantine that scents the morning dew, 
Clings not so fondly to her wedded briar, 
As maiden to her lover's soft embrace. 
tyranny of woman's honeyed love ! 
She smoothly flatters with her blandest smile; 
Her syren song enchants man's ravished ear. 
She conquers him with her resistless spell, 
So fond her captives are to be her slaves. 



200 SONNETS 



THE MANIAC'S SOLILOQUY. 

Unmeasured storm, high as the spangled heavens 

Far broader than the girdle of the spheres 

And twice as deep as the nnfathomed sea, — 

That quenchless flame which burns within my breast, 

How can I calm this agitated frame 

When passion like a cyclone sweeps in rage 

Through every cord and fibre, till it seems 

The very brain grows dizzy with its whirl. 

Here in this lonely woodland, I shall dwell 

Where hum of bees and cricket's chirp ne'er comes. 

But howl of wolverines oft greets mine ear 

And pensive owls hoot to the starless night. 

It were no slander should men dub me mad 

Since wit and I indeed stand at strange odds. 



SONNETS 201 



FRIENDSHIP. 

A transient friendship binds us with a cord 

Which may be snapped without a single pang; 

But when a long tried, constant friend departs 

With frowns upon that face once wreathed with smiJes, 

His anger hath an edge which wounds the soul 

And cuts such gashes through our inmost heart. 

As anodynes can neither soothe nor heal. 

Friendship I prize, when bursts the angry cloud 

On my unsheltered head, beyond the price 

Of rubies or of gold or diamond crowns. 

Glory and wealth, vain pleasure and applause 

Weigh nothing in the balance Against true love. 

Of all the gifts which Heaven can bestow, 

Naught else is equal to a trusty friend. 



202 SONNETS 



ELIJAH^S TEANSLATION. 

The footprints in the desert sands of earth 

Had grown too deep for human reckoning. 

Stretched with tremendous force, the vital cord 

Had snapped asunder with life's dreadful strain. 

Upon the crest of yonder neighboring hills, 

Deep clouds were gathering to bear away, 

The spirit of Elijah on the wings 

0' the mighty whirlwind; borne along the sky 

In chariots of fire, the sage and prophet 

With eyes turned downward, fixed his steady gaze 

In pity on the erring world below. 

"Alas" he said, "Men heed no prophet's voice 

Shiloh the root from Jesse's stem shall come 

Behold to Him the nations shall give ear." 



SONNETS 203 



THE JUDGMENT OF THE LAST GEEAT DAY. 

When God shall call his stewards to the bar 
For their accounting, thrones of judgment set; 
The book is opened like a frightful scroll 
Midst flaming worlds and crash of torrid spheres. 
Though Mercy still stands pleading for 3^our life. 
Quaking will come too late. The righteous shine, 
Like stars in heaven^s clear vaulted firmament 
Whose sparkling gems light up the etherial dome. 
The universe seems rocking in the depths 
Of ancient chaos; angels, saints and men 
Stand listening aghast with outstretched ear 
And breathless eagerness to hear the voice, 
Which speaks the destiny of human souls 
And seals the doom of man through endless years. 



204 SONNETS 



CLAEISSA. 

How many a gay Lothair kneels at the shrine 
Where pale Clarissa with impassioned voice, 
Thrills his rapt heart with her bewitching lay. 
What fires conflagrative of youthful blood 
Are kindled by the flaming torch of love. 
This darling passion which men fondle most. 
Inciting wars and feuds and tragedies, 
Hath stained the annals of a bygone age. 
With floods of human gore. Each trustful maid 
Unto her swain betrothed, beset with snares 
And pitfalls lightly treads life's thorny path. 
Until her wedded bliss grows ripe with years; 
While she descends the hill close by his side 
To sleep together with him at its base. 



SONNETS 205 



HOW SWEET IS LOVE. 

As fair a bird as ever fowler snared, 

Still wings her flight through waves of summer air. 

Some beauteous maid waits for each comely swain 

To pledge his loyal troth in wedded love. 

She sings the livelong day with birds in groves. 

As frolicksome as Eve midst Eden's bowers. 

Her lips like cherry blossoms or the rose. 
Moist with the dew that scents the azure morn, 
Breathe perfumes sweet as Araby the blest. 
Her eyes twin sisters to the orb of day. 
Beam in his light, like evening stars which fling 
Their soft clear radiance o'er the dreaming world ; 
A rival to the nightingale, her song 
Teaches rude hearts how precious 'tis to love. 



2(16 SONNETS 



MAN^S DEPENDANCE ON EEASON. 

Man's bankrupt wit oft like a beggar pleads 
For treasures adequate to line his purse 
Lest lie may play a simple Simon's part 
He needs full share of reason, wisdom, wit 
Which like the compass and the Northern star 
Must be his guides across the trackless waste 
Of life's wild sea. Well may each heart exclaim 
How blest the guidance which by reason given 
Directs our wayward feet through crooked paths 
Or drops us gently down with painless fall ! 
And what more sorry sight can one behold 
Than people driven mad by furious fates 
Within whose clouded mind remains no trace 
Of clear intelligence, — life's flame is quenched. 



SONNETS 207 



EESPECT FOR WOMEN. 

Insult a woman ! He must be a brute 

For he's no man ; since woman's form was shaped 

To be respected and beloved by all 

Never abused with contumelious shame: 

Her character for good repute forbids 

One tainted touch which mars or sullies her. 

Why else was she made chaste and beautiful ? 

The tender titles, mother, sister, wife 

Which we bestow on woman makes us dread 

To wound the feelings of a friend so dear : 

To cast aspersions and to bandy words 

By which we break a woman's heart is base ; 

Weeping a thousand years both day and night 

Could not atone for an offence so foul. 



208 SONNETS 



UPON THE SEA. 

The sea-dog barks and frightened larks 

Take wing and fly away; 

So full-rigged ships on their hazard trips 

Sail o'er the wind-swept bay. 

'Neath the lowering sky the seamen cry 

Their hearts aglow with joy 

Through many a wail to ships a-sail 

They shout their glad ahoy. 

The cloud-capped sea grows dear to me 

While heroes mount the wave 

They braTe the wind midst storms unkind 

To reach an ocean grave; 

The trump shall wake the dreamers to be free 

Once more to hear the requiem of the sea. 



SONNETS 209 



DESTINY. 

Three score and ten, the number of our years 

Seems but the shadow of an idle dream, 

A vehicle that floats on life's rude waves, 

Abreast the surging billows of the tide. 

O'er cloud-capped heights where Jesus guides them on 

Embattled hosts pursue their giddy flight; 

Above the seething cauldron of the deep 

The pathway leads, where Faith and Triumph meet. 

The prodigal with penitential prayers. 

Which knock so gently at the gates on high. 

Will gain sure entrance to Heaven's splendid towers. 

The lamp of life is quenched; man's glory fades; 

There is a time, also a land wherein 

Earth's lost and wandering tribes reach their glad home. 



210 SONNETS 



THE LAST OF WANNALANSET. 

The aged sire with locks of hoary grey 

Bleached with the frost of ninety winters gone 

Enfeebled by bold time's unsparing hand 

Draws near the evening of life's tiresome day 

Beneath his beetling brow peer eyes of love 

Which pierce through realms of yonder starlit space. 

His foot stands fixed upon the shore of time; 

His spirit spans the border of that sea 

Whose billows curl beneath the whirlwind's rage ; 

Soon will he step across the shadowed verge 

Soon sink to slumber in the dreamless world 

Let each immortal spirit breathe this prayer 

When in the peaceful hunting ground he lies 

Sweet be his rest till Heaven shall bid him rise. 



SONNETS 211 



DEATH. 

The wretched sweax before the Lord Most High 

In this cold heartless world they will not dwell 

From Hades' realm their high-wrought oaths outcry 

Maxims accursed from denizens of hell. 

In every human life there comes a time 

Which rings the knell of all our buried hopes 

Which plays the music of a hymn sublime 

Above the mound of earthly horoscopes. 

Death, like the shadow of a passing cloud, 

Or the approach of evening's dusky hue, 

Or deep as darkness underneath the shroud 

Of blackest midnight, hides life's day perdue. 

When shall we mortals welcome to our hearths and 

homes 
This savage monster's call while o'er this globe he roams. 



212 SONNETS 



THE CITY OF GOD. 

Methinks I see on yonder shining hills 

The gilded spires, the archways and the gate? 

The watchmen on the towers beside the rills 

Where conclaves join celestial potentates. 

Eternal city where the chariot wheels 

Of Angelns on golden pavements roll, 

How grateful to the sense each wavelet feels 

When floods of glory wrap the blissful soul ! 

Jerusalem, the city of our King 

How splendid are her walls which fain enfold 

The crevices where purple clusters cling 

To palaces of ivory and gold. 

The fertile oasis upon earth's arid plain 

Hath not the matchless beauty of heaven's fair domain. 



SONNETS 213 



THE MEERIMAC RIVER. 

I 

Rushing and twirling o'er his rocky bed 

The Merrimac hastes on his seaward way, 

Where Indian canoes once proudly sped 

While alewives swam in Wannalanset's day, 

Not thine fair river is Niagara's roar 

Nor thine the ruffian breakers wild and free 

But calm as wavelets on the Phrygian shore 

Tliy current runs to greet the wind-swept sea 

Thy banks as delved by mighty monarch's hand 

In forms of beauty which will never fade 

Upon the limpid stream by Heaven's command 

In pictured outlines cast their dreamy shade 

How cheering to the heart as friends to nature show 

Thy joyous gleeful waters dancing as they flow. 

II 

How like a dream seems now that youthful time 
When sports with angling craft there never failed 
While on the brink we played in boyhood's prime 
Our argosies abreast thy current sailed. 
To serve our industries in sportive mood 



214 SONNETS 



Thy sluice diverted through its channeled ground 

Beneath yon culvert steals, by wantons wooed 

Leaps with mad pranks to turn each mill-wheel round 

Swift as the reindeer in primeval wild 

Runs thy dark stream across Pawtucket's verge 

Festive and gay like nature's forest child 

Onward thou speed'st to kiss Atlantic's surge 

Ye floods of springtime swollen with the snow and rain 

Bright are your waters while ye mingle with the main. 



SONNETS 215 



LOVE IN WEDLOCK. 

The mystic stream which life imparts 

Inspiring hopes to realms above 

The sweetest tie which binds our hearts 

In golden cords is woman's love 

Our duteous vows in honor paid 

At Hymen's altar hand in hand 

Though beauty from our cheek may fade 

Shall ever still unbroken stand 

Fill up each beaker to the brim 

Sing out your festive virelay 

The joys of wedlock gaily hymn 

The honeymoon will last for aye. 

Behold the twain is one ; in honest pride 

We welcome to our home the groom and bride. 



210 SONNETS 



INCENSE AND PRAYER. 

Piling on Hecate^s altar sacred gifts 

That Heaven may be appeased, the aged priest 

The sacrificial incense burns in awe 

While from his censor fragrant perfumes rise 

To fill tlie peaceful air with smoke of thyme, 

So let the incense of our prayers ascend 

From altars where our hearts pour out their streams 

In sweet oblations to the God of Love. 

The cloud of vapor in earth^s atmosphere 

Rolls up on high like penitential prayer. 

The scent of blood which stains the sacrifice 

Can not atone for sins of guilty men, 

Nor Heaven's favor win, without the aid 

Of suppliant devotion. 



SONNETS 217 



ADMIEAL DEWEY. 

The sun at the zenith when cloudless he shines 
Bestowing his splendor on valleys and hills 
\Vhile nations behold his rare beanty which Mh 
The earth full of wonder v/hich strangely combine.^ 
AYith man's admiration for nature's designs 
Portrayed on the landscape in meadows and rills 
But Manilla's great chieftain, who nobly fulfills 
The task of the conqueror adroitly aligns 
His battleships confronting the brave Spanish fleet 
Controlling his forces with disciplined sway 
In triumph to compass the Spaniards defeat. 
With burning and sinking of all their array 
Eesplendent in glory the hero complete 
Outrivals in splendor the king of the day. 



218 SONNETS 



THE CUEFBW. 

Hark with what rapture curfew tolls the knell 
Of dying day. Night gallops on apace 
The swallows homeward to their nests now fly 
The panther hies unto his lair, and man 
Begrimed with sweat and dust from toil and care 
Repairs to hut or hovel to repose. 
The curse of Adam's sin still bans our race 
Amidst the tumult of the throng we hear 
But faintly sad complaints and wailings sore 
Which knock at heaven's gate to gain redress 
While many mutely suffer like dumb beasts 
Which know no judge to whom they may appeal 
For justice to avenge their hopeless cause. 



SONNETS 211* 



THE WOODBINE WEEATHS. 

When Dewey, Samson, Schley and Shafter fought 

And sunk the gunboats blazing through the sea 

The world applauding praised the deeds they wrought 

While patriots claimed that Cuba must be free. 

Cervera, Blanco and Toral, their peers 

The champions of Spain's false, groundless hope 

For pluck and brayery demand our cheers 

Of challenged foes on Santiago's slope. 

The ancient monarchy beyond the flood 

Whose strength the young republic dares engage. 

Will prove on field of battle stained with blood 

How virile youth contends with senile age 

The firm knit sinews of the brave and free 

Shall break and conquer dupes of tyranny. 



220 SONNETS 



SAFETY m THE STOKM. 

When the waves in restless motion 

Dash against my vessel's spar 

Tell me not on life's rough ocean 

Heaven can show no guiding star. 

When the billows o'er me rolling 

Swell above man's weak control 

Comes this voice with words consoling 

"God will save the imperilled soul." 

When fond faith begins to weaken 

When sweet hope can cheer no more 

To mine e3^es behold Heaven's beacon 

Stars that light up yonder shore; 

Fixed and constant points the needle to the pole 

Guiding seamen to the haven of the soul. 



SONNETS 221 



AX EXTRAVAGANZA, OE A LUNATIC'S SOXG. 

Hear the music of nature the song of the birds 
Midst the echoes of battle in lands of the boor 
Where the cyclone of thought mid the whirlwind of 

words 
Seems like Eolus panting for breath on the moor 
Let my vessel drift onward pursued by the breeze 
In the trail of the winds from Columb to Cathay 
Heaven permit that my bark overwhelmed by the seas 
May escape the rude wreck in the wilds of dismay, 
Hear the prayers of the seamen ye powers of the deep 
While King Xeptune with trident rules the billows 

enraged 
When the whirl of the Maelstrom shall rock men to 

sleep ; 
May the hunger of ocean be wholly assuaged; 
When our heroes sink down to a watery grave. 
Mermaids dance in the light of the moon on the wave. 



SONNETS 222 



SOLDIERS AWAKE^^ED FEOM SLEEP. 

Upon the shore of lost Atlantis cast 

We hear the bugle note which calls to rest 

The sounds of tattoo warn ns of the night 

While lights burn dimly in each chamber hall; 

Extinguished camp-fires tell us day is gone, 

When soldiers fall asleep in tent and field 

Beneath the sombre shade entranced in dreams 

They spend the livelong hours of death's dark night 

But lo ! the morning breaks and through the air 

Eesounds the reveille which strangles sleep 

And forth from slumbering areas stalk the ghosts 

Now more alive than when their birthday's prime 

Opened their eyes to earth's benignant light 

To gaze in wonder on life's tragic scenes. 



SONNETS 223 



THE HELP OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE. 

Just as the sunshine melts cold frost and snow 

To Faith's dear child God's grace and comfort flowing 

Dispel the clouds and darkness of life's storm 

His faTor fashions so this earthly mould 

As best to mitigate those untold ills 

From which men else would suffer agony. 

In this brief dream of years which men call life 

How many a pleasure and delight we feel 

Through Heaven's kind care to clear our path of thorns 

The signal benefits which flow in streams 

From fountains of enduring love on high 

Can be excelled in measure and degree 

Only when Providence with foresight gains 

Advantage sought by thwarting Satan's guile. 



224 SONNETS 



OLD AGE. 

Man's age should not be reckoned by the scores 

Of years which he has spent in idleness 

In wanton negligence of duties owed; 

But by the deeds he has accomplished well, — 

Not by the number of grey hairs which shed 

Their lustre on his honored hoary head 

N"or by deep lines ploughed in his cheek by cares 

But by the noble character he bears, 

Then will old age sit on his comely brow 

Adorning him more nicely than rich crowns 

Worn on the head of kings, Lads doff their caps, 

Girls vie in dropping curtsies at his feet 

And knights in armor cheered by multitudes 

To him in stately reverence halt to bow. 



SONNETS 27 f) 



SUNSHINE AFTBK STOEM. 

Few men have so much erethism that they 
May wrap its mantle round them in their dreams. 
'Tis not the real, but the ideal in life 
From which men suffer by such thrusts 
As oft to wound them to the quick or kill 
We gather ripe fruit never till we mourn 
For faded blossoms dropped in early spring. 
'Tis not the constant blaze of noonday suns 
Which gives us most delight in scenes of earth, 
But when we view the rainbow after showers 
We cull the choicest of our garden flowers; 
So when our sobs are hushed and tears are dried 
While still the dews of sorrow wet our cheeks 
We reap the sweetest fruits of human joy. 



226 SONNETS 



THE TEMPLE OF HUMAN CHARACTEE. 

The skillful architect who builds his fame 

Of fortune guided by the plan devised, 

May boast of honors or of wealth more vast 

Than such a builder gains as can construct 

A grand cathedral crowned with loftv dome. 

But he who frames a noble character 

Surpasses both in what adorns a man; 

^Tis not so much the gaudy trimmings worn 

By blushing maids which should insure true pride, 

But rather modest virtue's simple guise 

Which clothes them in a beauty all its own. 

Glory is founded on a deeper base 

Than those large stones whereon high temples rest, 

For worth dwells in the centre of the soul. 



SONNETS 227 



CHRIST ABOVE THE DARKNESS AND THE 
STORM. 

Upon the sea beside each bounding wave 

Which dances to the music of the spheres 

God plants his footsteps in heaven's ruffian blast. 

Rave on, mad billows, while your crested foam 

Laves still the cordage of the topmost sail, 

So doth the passion of this throbbing breast 

O'ertop all bounds and confines, till its heat 

Hath shamed the noontide with its scorching rays. 

The star which lights the mariner's dark way 

Lends heaven's sweet beauty to the sea's rude waves 

Christ like a beacon on the snow-clad hill 

Which cheers the wildwood where lost wanderers stray 

Still guides the traveller across the waste 

Of this earth's wilderness to worlds of light. 



228 SONNETS 



THE LAST DAY^S CEASH OF WORLDS. 

How bright this earth was in her pristine morn 

But man by sin hath marred her smiling face. 

Now wrathful seas lash her storm-beaten shores 

Since angels sealed her dark destructive doom. 

When trumps proclaim that time shall be no more 

The torch which lights will kindle this world's hills 

Then rending caves and crumbling palaces 

Where kings and tyrants used to reign supreme 

Black as the smouldering brands of Erebus 

Shall heap the swarthy ruin in their fail 

Heaven's splendid dome bedecked with stars shall fade 

The darkness of a dreadful night shall brood 

Above the waste and earth's grand crash with peals 

Astonish powers and break the welkin's top. 



SONNETS 229 



THE LAND OF FOEGETFULNESS OR DREAMS. 

My friend shall be remembered when he dwells 

In that lone bourn where sorrows are forgot 

I wonder where the human spirit rests 

Within what nook or cavern fast asleep 

Waking or dreaming each one seeks repose 

Some subtle and etherial cloud ma}^ wrap 

Their forms in cloaks v/hose mantling forms conceal 

The spectre from man's view. Tell me ye ghosts 

If tidings from your realm can ever reach 

The ear of mortals. What do ye possess 

That side the river, cheering to the heart. 

Which once was sad ? Back from the spirit land 

Like echoes from the hills comes this response. 

"Dare not profane these shades with mortal's quest". 



280 SONNETS. 



A FRIEND INDEED. 

Once I possessed a tender loving friend, 
Whose heart stood open wide to sympathy, 
Whose cheerful words would often force a smile, 
Whose tear begat a tear. My tale of woe 
Would wet his eyes with floods till down each cheek 
The streamlet flowed, drop chasing drop so fast, 
His heart with pity melted, and he swooned. 
He to the wretched consolation ga^e 
Health to the sick, and comfort to the sad. 
Some ingrates met him on his thorny path 
And with the thorns they platted him a crown; 
These he forgave, and blessed them with his smile 
His name was Jesus; nailprints in his hands 
Proclaim him to the world your friend and mine. 



SONNETS. 231 



THE COEPSE. 

What incoherent fabric built of dreams 

By dint can compass within ghastly walls 

Death's trophies garnished with the wealth of Ind ? 

The ruby lips once curled with flow of wit 

Xow bleached snow-white and frosted all too soon 

Grow silent when they lose their honeyed kiss 

Those eyes which sparkled when they saw a friend 

And brightly glistened with each greeting given 

Lie hid 'neath folded curtains through the night 

The face which beamed with smiles, looks frigid, stern, 

Seems grimly darkened with earth's sombre shade. 

Those features shapeless with Sardonic grin. 

Stark body pallid, motionless and cold, 

Make nature shudder at this ghastly sight. 



232 80NNET8. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S TYPE OF CHARACTER. 

All praise to noble men of humble birth 

V/lio rose from poverty or servitude 

To stations of commanding eminence 

Through energetic toil and force of will, 

Who triumphed not by prestige of descent 

But by that force of mind which sways the world ; 

As Lincoln peered above compatriots, 

And climbed fame's ladder to its topmost round 

Such brilliant honor doth their courage gain 

While floating onward o'er the sea of glory 

That one may willingly e'en dare to fall 

To serve his country for less recompense 

Bravely to share their perils we will march ; 

Gladly we'll suffer like them though we die. 



SONNETS. 233 



LIFE'S BUEIED BURDENS. 

Let us each our burdens bearing 
Toil to reach the mountain top 
Then descend, our laurels wearing. 
Till our heavy burdens drop 
What is life but earnest sighing 
Burdened with the debts we owe ? 
What its end, the pangs of dying 
When we sleep in vales below ? 
There is joy and there is laughter 
Pleasures of this merry earth 
Presage of a bright hereafter 
Heritage of noble birth. 
What can ever prove souls dafter 
Than in dust to trail their worth? 



231 SONNETS. 



DEATH OR DISGRACE, WHICH SHALL IT BE? 

Worse than that loss, when life's extinguished spark 

Snapped from the brand, in smouldering embers drops, 

Is life's dishonor which consigns to shame 

Earth's proud, ambitious aspirant for fame. 

The soldier quakes not at the cannon's mouth 

For love of earthly glory leads him on; 

And this is brave. The wretched suicide . 

Shuns not disgrace although he faces death 

But robs himself of life which none can give 

But God alone who rightly takes or spares. 

Hero in life's grand battle do thy best 

Let come what will, earth's honors to deserve; 

Lay bare thy breast to pungent sorrow's wound 

When slander's poisoned arrows smite thy heart. 



SONNET.<i. 235 



HOW WOMAN'S WOOED AND WON. 

Woman yields no consent to argument 

In what concerns the heart, where love alone 

Stands umpire to decide; nor is she moved 

By human eloquence although man's plea 

Be armed with logic to persuade the world 

Untutored lovers flatter and cajole 

While each coy maiden calmly bids them wait 

The courtier cries in vain with labored art : 

^'Thou art my Venus midst these brilliant stars, 

Suppress that sidelong look so shy and coy, 

And greet thy lover with one cheery smile !" 

The simple swain composed of sighs and tears 

Who scarce can speak aright love's stammering phrase 

With pleading eyes wins Mary's hand and heart. 



236 HON NETS. 



BEIDAL ADOENMENT AND CORONATION. 

Where can we find to parallel the maid 

In beauty's rivals, lily and the rose, 

Entrancing charms so rare, that capture man 

When lips, and cheeks and eyes seem bright as flame 

Enkindled by the glowing sparks of love? 

Go where the light of florid Venus shines 

The bride of chaste Adonis in his bower; 

See figured beauty passion-born wherein 

Kaleidoscopes of changing colors blend. 

A triple crown of glory may she wear 

The modest maiden of each lover's dream, 

With virtue's purity to sweetness joined, 

Beauty's fair form and comely matron's pride, 

While unseen spirits bless her marriage ring. 



SONNETS. 231 



SECUEE IN UNFAILING HOPE. 

This sunlit dome which spans the arch of heaven 

Buttressed with lofty hills, bespangled belts 

With far resounding crash of orbs will fall 

Sooner than God will crush life's cherished hope*. 

The fabric of the world is not more firm 

Than is his changeless word, when from His throne 

Imperial edicts dart, evasions fail; 

Magician's skill or casuistic arts 

Or subtle wit and logic change Him not 

There's not a child upon this planet born 

However lowly his sad lot may be 

But gladly he may trust our Father's care. 

Would that my might could serve him as I ought, — 

Meagre return for Heaven's kind gifts to me. 



238 SONNETS. 



OUR REFUGE IN DISTRESS. 

Where shall we go when these poor hearts feel sore 
Midst circling eddies of the world's repulse 
When our last hope has vanished, and the grief 
Has drained the eyelid's font of its last tear? 
When Fate's hlack clouds o'erspread the angry sky 
And cast their dismal pall athwart the earth 
We drink the bitter wormwood mixed with gall 
And find our trusted friends transformed to foes 
Oh, whither shall we flee from man's stern wrath 
To hide our forms within the cleft of rocks 
Where hell's fierce thunderbolt may spend its force 
Tjet us escape to where the pillowed head 
In the arms of mercy, tenderness and love 
Rests calmly on the bosom of our God. 



SONNETS. 239 



THE FIRST DAY OF THE TWENTIETH 
CENTURY. 

Remember that through lapse of centuries 

By their unfolding when time's pregnant womb 

Gives birth to New Year's eve, we turn big leaves 

In life's fair book to scrutinize each scroll 

Lo stamped indellibly past pages swarm 

With records which can never be effaced 

But future leaves are blank where men may write 

Each line with splendid quills rich ornament 

To suit the merit of their deeds. 

So let us pen our own life's diary 

With golden letters to outshine the sun 

While speeds the dizzy whirl of life's fleet years, 

Christs blood-stained cross blots from the page of guilt 

Our cancelled debts with ledgered balance due. 



240 SONNETS. 



GOD m THE AGES. 

There's one Inhabitant in million worlds 
Who stands unmoved while countless centuries 
March witli majestic tread along the path 
Of time's unfolding verge. The years roll on 
But He remains the same forever calm, 
Serene and tranquil as his own blue heavens. 
Past, present, future years. He heeds them not. 
The ages are but moments in His sight 
And yesterday, today, tomorrow blend 
In one eternal now. Two thousand years 
Man's genius struggled on ere he could reach 
The climax of known art from depths profound 
But subtler science far beyond man's grasp 
God kenned before earth's centuries began. 



SONNETS. 241 



EXUBERANT FANCY. 

Sweet Fancy builds her palace in the night 

When spectres move along the silent shades 

Where bodies lie entombed. She spins her thread 

And weaves her web from filaments of thought 

As unsubstantial as a maiden's dream 

Pictures life-like adorn her chamber wall 

Figures of oriental shape, all draped 

In gaudy or fantastic garb, and trimmed 

With mottled grey. Beams of the gibbous moon 

Cast their faint glimmer through the latticed panes 

While spirits stalk within her corridors. 

From rare quaint legends of the olden time 

She borrows tales to charm each youth and >ire 

Witli mimic drollery or festive mirth. 



242 SO^^NETS. 



WOMAN'S POWEK. 

There's not a soul of man with sense so blunt 
That hath not quaked beneath a woman's frown ; 
There's no man's heart which beats with honest thro]) 
But sometime feels the touch of woman's love. 
Her tongue in censure keener than a sword 
Can slay her thousands^ but her sweetest smile 
Eevives youth's drooping spirit, and her praise 
Swells his deep bosom with a flush of pride 
Prostrate on bended knee the hapless swain 
Oft craves the honor of his mistress' hand 
But dares not hope for legacy so rich; 
Mantled with bluslies while she speaks his fate 
In tones which thrill the fibres of his heart 
He at her bidding stands, — a ransomed man. 



SONNETS. 243 



COURAGE. 

Beware, thou craven soul, hares breed no hounds 
Who fain would conquer in the world's arena 
Must bravely fight till courage gains the prize. 
Would you but win a battle or a wife 
Tackle the task without one grain of fear. 
Prove to the foe that danger lurks 
Beneath the clutches of hate's savage hand. 
Vvlien tyrants threat or hostile legions crush 
When adversaries wield their bastinades 
Or treacherous bandits mingle drink with gall 
Then outraged victims cry: "Vengeance is mine 
Unto the world's wild storms hapless wight 
Lay bare thy breast already bronzed and scarred 
And from Wrong's towering castle snatch the fla« 



244 SONNETS. 



LIFE'S EXTINGUISHED FIRE. 

Life's lamp goes out; then whither flits the flame? 

To God who gave it quickly flies the soul 

As swiftly through the body's wound though one 

As through a score when gashed by hostile swords. 

What power to eyes can seal the lids so close 

And turn the lips so pale and blanche the cheek? 

Can this be sleep ? or is it rather death 

That cures all care and heals the keenest pain ? 

Surfeit of life conducts to life's surcease. 

This precious treasure hangs upon a thread 

Brittle as glass, and vapid as a breath. 

What bubbles, toys, we boys play daftly with 

Heedless of quicksands and the gulf below 

Wherein our tangled feet will plunge so soon. 



^ON^'ETS. 245 



VICISSITUDES. 

The smiling infant in the cradle rocked 

Looks up in gladness at the cheerful dawn, 
Nor heeds the cloud hung in the sky to warn, 

The wary, lest his hope be rudely shocked, 
By ruthless clashes of the storm unlocked; 

From wind-swept barriers out of tempest born. 
Alas, how quickly turns his smile to scorn, 

When streaming from his eyes with tears well stocked, 
The showers pour down that face, whose features flocked 

With dimpled laughter when ^twas sunny morn. 
Within the compass of one single day. 

Some hours the earth is clouded, some 'tis bright ; 
Thus o'er man's life, the light and shadows play, 

'Twixt morning brightness and the gloom of night. 



246 SONNETS. 



TO WASHINGTON. 

Hail, Washington, our country's father thou, 
Whose patriot zeal once set the nation free. 
Above the sons of men, exalted high. 
Stand thou on pinnacle of man's proud fame. 
Of all that's wise and brave, earth's paragon. 

TRUTH VERSUS FALSEHOOD. 

Truth like the rock with mighty pillared base 
Stands firm against the stormy blasts of time; 
While falsehood's crumbling palaces of sand 
Though buttressed with the sophistry of knaves 
Kissed by the sea are swallowed by its waves. 

STREAM OF LIFE. 

The stream of life hugs closely to its bank 
Where lazily it whiles the time away 
To drink refreshing coolness from the shade 
Of that tall osier's bough which spans the brink 
Beyond the threatening cloud we see no frowns 
But rather smiles upon our Father's face 
Which lines its blackness with a golden fringe 
Earth's harbinger, — Heaven's augury of peace. 



SONNETS. 247 



AMERICA'S SHIP OF STATE. 

Eide on o'er seas, bold chieftain, still ride on 

The flag of empire floats o'er isles afar, 

Conquer a peace, till hostile hosts grow wan. 

Our banner gains one bright majestic star 

The sinking ship of state, when nations see. 

Haste to the rescue captain, grasp the helm. 

Whether she drift to windward or to lee. 

Cast anchor where no billows overwhelm. 

The nation's throng of people pace the deck. 

Watching with anxious fears what fates betide; 

The ship's crew man the yards to save from wreck. 

And tossed on rolling ocean deftly guide. 

Though rough the voj^age, kind master with heaven's 

strength endued 
Steer to safe port, and share man's lifelong gratitude. 



DEPARTMENT OP STATE 

Washingfton, February 13, 1901. 
Dear Dr. Mansfield:— 

I have read the poem with great admiration and 
pleasure, and have at once sent it over to the White House, as I am not 
able to walk so far today. 

I am, with best wishes, 

Sincerely yours, 

JOHN HAY. 
Rev. Dr. Francis Mansfield, 

Carlisle, Massachusetts. 



John Hay, poet, orator and statesman thus gives his hearty approval 
to Rev. Dr. Mansfield's verses entitled " To the Admiral Commanding: 
The Ship of State, America." 




THE TEMPLE ON THE HEIGHTS. 

In marble corridors ^neath some high dome, 

Swells virgin beauty like the fragTant rose, 

^Midst perfumed dewdrops of the summer air, — - 

In stately mansions where embosomed love 

Holds converse meted to each nuptial bower, 

On mountain ranges far above the clouds. 

There is a temple built on hills so high 

That earthly ladders cannot reach its top, 

Nor bandits scale its walls to plunder gold. 

Grander than any presidential manse. 

Or minster on the ocean's rocky brink. 

Where mighty kings are crowned in pompous pride, 

Is that celestial cloister where each child 

Whom God shall call His own will sit enthroned. 



^ 



NOV 9 1904 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

020 994 451 



